Keonjhar/Rourkela: A man was killed in a tusker attack while another sustained a critical injury at Hunda village in Jangira forest section under Sadar forest range in Keonjhar district, Wednesday night. The deceased was identified as Maheswar Juang, 45, and the critically injured person as Shatrughna Parida, 46, of Balidanda Sahi in Hunda village. The injured was first admitted to the Keonjhar headquarters hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after his health condition deteriorated.
Sources said a tusker, separated from a ten-member herd, entered Hunda village and attacked Maheswar when he had gone outside to relieve himself. The tusker picked up Maheswar on its trunk and dashed him onto the ground resulting in his death on the spot. Later, the elephant went near Jhumukapasi village and was eating jackfruits from the trees when Maheswar accompanied the villagers and shouted to drive the animal away.
Suddenly the tusker chased Shatrughna and attacked him. He sustained a deep injury in his lower abdomen after the animal gored him with its tusk. Later, Forest officials reached the village at night and rushed the two to the Keonjhar headquarters hospital. There, the doctor declared Maheshwar dead and administered treatment to Shatrughna. Sadar forest ranger Ajit Das said that the deceased Maheshwar’s family was handed over Rs 60,000 immediately. The Forest official assured them payment of `5.40 lakh compensation after completion of necessary formalities.
In a separate incident, a person was killed in an elephant attack at Gobardara village under Tamda Range of Bonai forest division when he was out to relieve himself Thursday morning. Sources said it is the same tusker, which has been haunting the entire Bonai subdivision after it was separated from its herd. The deceased was identified as one Khudrae Mundari, 45, of Gobardara village. Mundari had been to answer nature’s call when it was dark.
Before he could realise anything, the elephant attacked from behind and trampled him to death. This was witnessed by another person of the village from a distance. Forest officials were immediately informed. Gurundia police and forest ranger recovered the body and dispatched it for post-mortem. The family of the deceased would be given the initial funds for cremation and the rest amount would be handed over after the completion of formalities, informed the ranger. For the last couple of days, this particular elephant has been tormenting the entire Bonai forest division.