Similipal elephant death: Contractual forest staff who consumed poison succumbs in Odisha’s Cuttack

Cuttack: Even as the recent elephant death in Similipal National Park of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has triggered massive public outrage with the complicity of forest personnel coming to the fore and three of them being arrested, a contractual forest employee who had consumed poison after being threatened by the accused, succumbed during treatment in Cuttack here today. The deceased, identified as Turam Purti (20) a daily labourer engaged by the Forest department.

As per reports, the three arrested forest staff including Jenabil ranger Sankar Samal, forester Chandrabhanu Behera and forest guard Binod Das were threatening Turam, who was believed to have witnessed the illegal activity, not to divulge the information failing which he would face dire consequence. The trio had reportedly even taken a photograph of Turam to hold him accountable if any information about the incident was leaked. Unable to bear the pressure and threat, Turam was driven to the point of contemplating suicide and had consumed poison on December 11. He was rushed to Karanjia Sub Divisional Hospital but as his condition deteriorated, doctors referred him to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack where he succumbed during treatment on Thursday night.

On Wednesday, the three suspended forest staff had been arrested for allegedly trying to cover up the elephant’s poaching by burning its carcass. The arrests were made after the High Court came down heavily on the Forest department and the trio confessed to their involvement during the probe.