Elephant attacks claim three lives in a single day in Odisha’s Angul
Irate locals alleged that the menace of elephants straying into human settlements and causing damage to crops and attacking villagers has been going on for a few months but no action has been taken by the Forest department.
Angul: Panic gripped people after three villagers died in separate incidents of elephant attacks in a single day in Odisha’s Angul district in the wee hours today. The incidents were reported from Angul block and the deceased identified as Subash Biswal (60) of Chheliapada, Ramesh Swain (48) of Barasingha and Anirudhh Sahu (54) of Angarabandha villages.
As per reports, Subash was heading towards a garden near the police barrack in his village early in the morning when he was suddenly attacked by an elephant leading to his death on the spot. Ramesh Swain of Barasingha met a similar fate when he was going out to relieve himself and was trampled to death by a pachyderm. Angarabandha’s Anirudh Sahu died in a similar manner as he stepped out to a nearby garden and a jumbo attacked and crushed him to death.
As the news spread of three deaths in a single day due to elephant attacks, panic prevailed among villagers. Irate locals alleged that the menace of elephants straying into human settlements and causing damage to crops and attacking villagers has been going on for a few months but no action has been taken by the Forest department.
They also demanded adequate compensation for the damage and lives lost. “We have lost three farmers due to elephant attacks. But till now no steps have been taken to take stock of the situation. We demand compensation for the losses and urge the Forest department to take necessary steps immediately,” the locals said, while sharing their angst.
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