Centenarian Priest Fatally Attacked by Wild Elephant in Bahraich District
A tragic incident unfolded in Bahraich district on Sunday night, as a 100-year-old priest was killed by a wild elephant, marking the second elephant-related fatality in the region within just two days. Forest officials have responded by urgently advising villagers to avoid venturing alone into forested areas, particularly during nighttime hours.
Details of the Fatal Incident at Katiyara Baba Kutia
The attack occurred at Katiyara Baba Kutia, located within the Katarniaghat wildlife division. The victim, identified as Suresh Das, aged 100, was a lifelong celibate and resident of Hazaripurwa village in the Karikot area. He had been devotedly performing worship rituals at the Kutia for the past 15 years.
On Sunday evening around 8:30 PM, Das was having dinner with his companion, Ram Lakhan. After the meal, Lakhan stepped outside to wash utensils, leaving the elderly priest alone inside the hut. During this brief period, a wild elephant entered the structure and began causing significant damage.
Lakhan recounted that upon his return, he witnessed the elephant inside the hut and immediately went to fetch a torch. Meanwhile, the elephant continued to demolish the hut. According to reports, the priest reportedly addressed the elephant, saying, "Will you destroy everything? Where will we live?"
This interaction apparently enraged the elephant, which then chased the priest. Unable to escape due to his advanced age, Das fell to the ground. The elephant proceeded to lift him with its tusks, slam him forcefully to the ground, and ultimately crush him under its feet, resulting in his immediate death at the scene.
Immediate Response and Official Statements
Ram Lakhan promptly informed the gram pradhan, Shyam Lal, who arrived at the location along with other villagers. The SHO of Sujauli police station, Prakash Chandra Sharma, and a specialized team from the forest department also reached the spot to assess the situation and initiate necessary procedures.
Katarniaghat ranger Ashish Gond provided crucial insights, noting that elephant movement in the region has increased substantially, complicating efforts for response teams to access affected sites during nighttime. In response, forest officials have activated forest staff and ‘Gajmitra' teams to monitor the situation closely.
Residents of villages adjacent to forest areas have been strongly advised to remain extremely vigilant, carry torches when moving at night, and strictly avoid entering forested zones alone to prevent further tragedies.
Previous Elephant Attack in the Same Region
This incident follows another devastating attack that occurred just two days prior, on Friday afternoon, along the Bichhiya-Mihipurwa road under the same Katarniaghat wildlife division. In that event, a woman riding a motorcycle with her two sons was violently assaulted by an elephant.
As the motorcycle slowed down on the road, the elephant suddenly charged. The sons, identified as Karan and Arjun, reported that the elephant grabbed their mother with its trunk, threw her to the ground, and trampled her before retreating back into the forest. Both sons sustained serious injuries during this harrowing attack, highlighting the escalating human-elephant conflict in the area.
The consecutive fatal incidents underscore the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and community awareness programs to mitigate risks associated with increasing elephant presence in Bahraich district.
