Parjang/Badagaon: A woman was killed and her husband sustained critical injuries after they were attacked by a wild tusker at Dihadol forest section under Mahabirod Forest Range in Dhenkanal division.
While the deceased woman has been identified as Chanti Behera of Majhika Jharasahi of Kandarasinha panchayat, her husband the injured, was identified as Suresh Behera. Suresh has sustained grievous fractures on his right hand and leg.
According to reports, Suresh and Chanti had gone to their agricultural land to harvest paddy crop Thursday afternoon and while returning home they came face to face with the wild pachyderm. While they were trying to run for their life, the elephant trampled Chanti to death on the spot while it grabbed Suresh with the trunk and smashed him against the ground.
Suresh was rescued by some locals and forest officials in a critical condition and was admitted to Parjang community health centre for treatment. Later he was shifted to the district headquarters hospital as his condition worsened.
Reportedly, he has been provided with a financial assistance of Rs 5,000 by forest department in the first phase of treatment.
Meanwhile, the incident of man-animal conflict has sparked fresh tension in the region following which ranger Haramohan Nayak, forester Biswanath Soren, SI Anandi Charan Pattayat and wildlife project officer Arvind Majhi visited the spot and pacified the irked mob.
This happens to be the second death in elephant attacks in the last four days, alleged locals.
“Elephant attacks are becoming rampant in this area. Tuskers of the herds are on a rampage and are get fumed when they see light, following which they chase humans and attack them. The large mammals have also damaged many houses in the villages situated alongside forests,” alleged a local resident.
“Wednesday, an elephant herd damaged the houses of Rabi Nayak and Biranchit Nayak of Dalit Basti of Lodhani panchayat Wednesday night. However, their family members escaped unhurt. The herd ventured wreaking havoc at Damol and Kandarsinha Thursday,” he further alleged.
It is worth the mention that Nirupama Biswal of Kharibahal village of Kandarsinha panchayat was crushed to death by an elephant December 10.
On the other hand, at least five persons have been injured in separate elephant attacks.
In yet another incident reported from Badagaon block in Sundargarh district, an elephant herd comprising of 17 jumbos has been on a damaging spree for the past few days.
The herd reportedly damaged the entire banana plantation of one Pankan Pustey and fed on the paddy crop belonging to Hemant Toppo of Kureibaga village situated near Mahavir hill late Wednesday night.
Panic gripped the villagers after two elephants of the herd sneaked into the vegetation of another local resident and destroyed the standing crops on the day.
PNN