A 28-year-old man sustained injuries after being attacked by a herd of 12 elephants near Kusumdih and Badki Punnu villages under Mahuatand police station in Bokaro district late on Wednesday night. The quick response team (QRT) of the forest department rescued the victim and has cautioned residents against venturing out at night in forest areas.
Incident Details
Forest officer Sundeep Shinde stated that the elephant herd has been spotted moving through the region. He said, “The injured was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and was travelling alone when he encountered the herd and was attacked.” The victim, identified as Kartik Besra of Keri village in Tikahara panchayat, is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ramgarh. Officials confirmed that his condition is stable.
Warning Ignored
Vijay Kumar Gupta, a member of the elephant-driving team, explained that personnel stationed near a bridge had stopped Besra and warned him not to proceed further because elephants were active ahead. “However, he continued towards the forested route and was attacked within moments,” Gupta said. Hearing Besra's cries for help, the QRT rushed to the spot and managed to drive the elephants away.
The forest department has reiterated its advisory for local residents to avoid traveling through forested areas at night, especially when elephant herds are known to be in the vicinity. The injured man continues to receive medical care at a hospital in Bokaro.
