Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen) Sept 24: Elephant:Two people lost their lives and three others were injured in separate elephant attacks across Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Tuesday, raising concerns among local residents.
The deceased have been identified as Sakra Hembram (59) from Uludihi village and Raghunath Hembram (55) from Sunpuria village. The injured include Sanga Mohanta from Uludihi, Sarbeswar Mohanta from Tadki village, and Ruchika Soren from Pokharia village, all of whom have been admitted to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital, where their conditions are reported to be critical.
These incidents have instilled fear in communities located within the Betnoti, Deuli, and Rasgovindpur forest ranges. Reports indicate that a tusker seriously injured Sakra while she was sweeping her verandah; she was rushed to Kisantandi CHC but was declared dead upon arrival. Raghunath was trampled by a tusker while sleeping on his verandah and succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.
Sanga was attacked while foraging for mushrooms in Astia village under the Betnoti forest range. According to forest officials, approximately 50 elephants from two herds have been wreaking havoc in Rasgovindpur and surrounding areas. A herd of 28 elephants had previously entered from West Bengal a few months ago, while another herd of 22 elephants arrived from Betnoti last night.
