Tragic Elephant Attack Claims Woman's Life in West Singhbhum Village
In a devastating incident, a 30-year-old woman was trampled to death by an elephant in the Goilkera police station limits of West Singhbhum district on Friday. The victim has been identified as Rani Boipai, a resident of Seerjankocha village.
Details of the Fatal Encounter
According to police reports, residents of Seerjankocha raised an alarm early in the morning when an elephant strayed into the village. Hearing the commotion, Rani Boipai exited her house and began running towards what she believed was a safe location. Tragically, she came directly in front of the elephant.
The elephant tossed her into the air, and upon hitting the ground, she was trampled to death. Locals who heard her screams rushed to the scene and managed to chase the elephant back into a nearby forest. Efforts to transport her to a hospital were futile, as she had already succumbed to her injuries.
Official Response and Ex Gratia Payment
Police and forest officials arrived at the village later in the morning and initiated legal procedures to provide ex gratia compensation to the bereaved family. Kolhan range officer Ram Nandan Ram stated, "We handed Rs 20,000 to the family of the deceased woman. The remaining ex gratia amount will be given upon completion of the due process."
To prevent future incidents, a team has been deployed in the Kuida panchayat area. Locals have been advised to remain vigilant and alert to the presence of elephants.
Ongoing Wildlife Conflict in the Region
Villagers informed forest officials that an elephant herd has been wandering in the panchayat area for the past four days, causing significant damage. This includes:
- Destruction of thatched houses
- Extensive damage to paddy fields
The incident highlights the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the region, necessitating urgent measures to protect both communities and wildlife.
