Bhubaneswar: At least seven forest personnel, including a forester and two forest guards, sustained injuries in a mob attack at Fekalsahi village under Baripada forest division in Mayurbhanj district on Thursday night. The incident occurred after an elephant from Similipal Tiger Reserve strayed into the nearby village, causing damage to houses and crops.
Police Complaint Filed
The forest department has lodged a police complaint in connection with the attack. According to police, villagers alleged that forest personnel arrived late despite being informed early about the elephant's movement. The mob allegedly vandalised a department vehicle and assaulted the staff.
Aditya Prasad Jena, Inspector-in-Charge of Khunta police station, stated: “The personnel have sustained minor injuries. It was night, and taking advantage of darkness, the mob resorted to vandalism. None has been arrested so far as the culprits are yet to be identified.” The vandalised vehicle was taken to the police station for forensic examination, an officer added.
Forest Officials Deny Delay
Forest officials, however, maintained that they reached the village on time to drive the elephant away but the villagers became angry without reason. A forest officer alleged: “Because of strict enforcement, AI and normal camera surveillance, and patrolling in Similipal, villagers are now not able to hunt animals. Even if they do, they are being caught. This has angered them.”
Sources indicated that the elephant was still wreaking havoc in the village, located 14 km from Khunta police station. Baripada Divisional Forest Officer Gobinda Chandra Biswal said: “We have deployed a fresh forest squad in the village to keep an eye on the elephant so that it doesn’t lead to any further conflict.”
The incident highlights the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the region, with authorities urging villagers to cooperate with forest personnel to ensure safety.
