Tragic Night in Tilaiya Village: Elephant Herd Claims Two Lives
A herd of wild elephants stormed into Tilaiya village in Bokaro's Gomia block on Monday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of two local residents. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Jageshwar Vihar police station, sending shockwaves through the community.
The Fatal Encounter
According to eyewitness accounts, several villagers were engaged in conversation near a local shop when the elephant herd suddenly charged into the area. As panic erupted, residents scrambled in multiple directions to escape the dangerous situation.
Ravinder Mahto (36) and Prakash Mahato (30) found themselves directly in the path of the charging elephants. The massive animals caught both men, lifted them with their powerful trunks, and violently threw them to the ground. The impact caused severe injuries that proved fatal immediately, with both victims succumbing on the spot.
Community Response and Official Action
Following the devastating attack, local villagers mobilized quickly to drive the elephants back toward the forest. Using traditional methods including drums, torches, and fire, they successfully redirected the herd away from the residential area.
Forest department officials and local police personnel arrived promptly at the scene, taking control of the situation and ensuring the immediate removal of the bodies for post-mortem examination.
Official Statement and Compensation
IFS officer Suneep Shinde provided crucial details about the incident, confirming that the attacking elephants were part of a larger herd numbering approximately 42 animals, including several calves that were moving through the region.
Despite the forest department maintaining two quick response teams (QRTs) for constant patrolling in vulnerable areas, the tragedy could not be prevented. Officer Shinde announced that immediate relief of Rs 25,000 has been provided to each bereaved family, with assurance of additional compensation according to government provisions.
Preventive Measures and Public Safety
Authorities have issued urgent safety advisories to villagers, emphasizing the importance of remaining indoors during nighttime hours and immediately reporting any elephant sightings to officials. Public warnings are being broadcast through loudspeakers in affected villages to ensure widespread awareness.
The forest department has committed to continuous monitoring of the elephant herd and strengthening preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. This tragic event highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in regions bordering forest areas.
