Tribal Farm Worker Trampled to Death by Elephant in Latehar District
A tragic incident occurred in Latehar district, where a 59-year-old tribal man lost his life after being trampled by a Makna elephant. The event took place under the Chandwa police station limits on Thursday night, highlighting ongoing human-wildlife conflicts in the region.
Details of the Fatal Encounter
According to Chandwa forest range officer N K Mahato, the deceased, identified as Tibru Ganjhu, was a farm worker residing in Maalhun village. Mahato explained that Ganjhu was taking a late-night stroll approximately 100 feet from his home when the elephant suddenly appeared and crushed him to death. The incident occurred around 10:30 pm, leaving the local community in shock.
Railway Disruption and Safety Measures
Following the attack, the elephant moved to the nearby railway tracks between Mahua Milaan and Nindra railway stations, where it remained for a period. Railway officials were promptly alerted, leading to a suspension of train movements along both up and down lines for nearly 30 minutes until the elephant safely crossed the tracks.
Ranjit Kumar, the station superintendent of Tori railway station, stated that caution notices were issued to all train engine crews. They were instructed to maintain a speed of 30 kilometres per hour and remain vigilant for the elephant in the specified area. This precaution comes in the wake of a recent incident where a sub-adult elephant was struck by a goods train on the same tracks last month, succumbing to its injuries later.
Immediate Relief and Investigation
In response to the tragedy, Ganjhu's family members received an immediate ex-gratia relief payment of Rs 40,000. His body was transported to Latehar sadar hospital for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and gather further details about the incident.
This event underscores the persistent challenges faced by communities living near forested areas, where encounters with wildlife can have devastating consequences. Authorities continue to monitor the situation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
