MANOJ SINHA
Ramgarh, Nov.22: An old man, who had gone to attend nature’s call on Monday morning, was trampled to death by a wild elephant at Chumba village under Kuju forest range area.
The deceased has been identified as Baijnath Sahu (80 years). His body has been sent for postmortem.
Forest department sources said, “Deceased’s next kin will get Rs.4 lakh ex-gratia by the department. The wild elephant had come from Badakagaon area and has now returned to nearby forest.”
Following the incident, large number of villagers reached the spot and informed the forest department officials. A state of gloom and shock is prevailing in the village. Villagers have demanded adequate compensation for the kin of the deceased.
They have also demanded the forest department for security from the wild elephant. They suspect that the elephant will return to their village and harm them and their properties including standing crops.
Attacks of wild elephants are very common in Ramgarh district and its adjoining areas. Many people have been killed by herds of elephant in past few years. They also damage properties and standing crops of the farmers and other villagers. The forest department has not found any permanent solution to control the attack of wild elephants yet.
