Elephants trample three to death in Midnapore

4 March 2012

biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 4 MARCH: Three wild elephants that were separated from their herd trampled three people to death at villages in Keshpur, West Midnapore, today.
The tuskers injured five other people, and killed two head of cattle, said a forest officer. They also damaged crops and houses worth several lakhs in Jagannathpur, Parulia, Dyangapara, and Bela Maharajpur at Keshpur. As this report was completed, forest officials were still trying to drive the elephants back into the forest.
"One of the tuskers is yet to be sent back to the forest. Due to the abrupt drives conducted by some villagers, the elephant strayed deeper into a village. But our men are trying their best to push it back into the Arabari forest," said Mr Ashish Samanta, divisional forest officer (east).
According to forest officials, the deceased have been identified as Sheikh Ainuddin of Jagannathpur and Bhutnath Patar of Bela Maharajpur and Laxmi Soren. "We have already given Rs 50,000 to the family of the victims and Rs 50,000 more will be given to the families by tomorrow," said Mr Samanta. Locals said three tuskers sneaked into the villages this morning when villagers were busy in their fields. The animals started eating potatoes and destroyed crops.
"We started hurling stones and bursting crackers to chase them away," said a resident of Jagannathpur. "But, the elephants turned violent. They trampled a man to death when he suddenly came in front of them." During the day, the tuskers went about eating potatoes and paddy in four villages, but they also damaged at least 20 houses. Forest department sources said they have to follow procedures in such cases, but the villagers want instant action, which is not possible.