A tragic incident occurred in the Chandil forest range of Seraikela-Kharsawan district, Jharkhand, where a woman and her minor daughter were trampled to death by an elephant. The attack happened early Saturday at Hadat village when an elephant, separated from its herd, targeted their thatched hut. The elderly father-in-law and mother-in-law of the woman sustained critical injuries.
Details of the Incident
According to forester Mukesh Kumar, a herd of five elephants had strayed into the village from Purulia district of West Bengal on Friday night. One elephant broke away from the herd and demolished a wall of the thatched house, possibly attracted by the aroma of rice stored inside. Mohan Mahato, 65, and his wife Satula, 60, were asleep in a room when the wall collapsed, burying them under debris.
Their son Kamalchand, 40, his wife China Devi, 37, and daughter Amita Bala, 13, were sleeping in an adjoining room. They rushed to help upon hearing screams but encountered the elephant in the verandah. In panic, Kamalchand hid under a cot and survived, but China and Amita were trampled to death.
Rescue and Compensation
Locals rescued the injured elderly couple and took them to Chandil community health centre (CHC). They were later referred to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur, where their condition is stable. A quick response team (QRT) and forest guards have been deployed to drive the elephants back to Purulia.
Compensation of Rs 1 lakh was handed over to Kamalchand for the last rites of his wife and daughter. Forest official Kumar added, "An ex gratia of Rs 8 lakh will be given to the family after completion of legal formalities."
Previous Elephant Attacks
This is not an isolated incident. On April 11, a 55-year-old villager was trampled to death by an adult elephant at Saparup village under Tiruldih police station limits. On December 28 last year, a 50-year-old was killed in an elephant attack under Kukru police station limits. On October 17, 2024, a 34-year-old villager was trampled to death under Chandil police station area.
These recurring incidents highlight the growing human-elephant conflict in the region, necessitating urgent measures to protect both villagers and wildlife.
