Bhubaneswar: Three forest officials in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district have been suspended for negligence linked to a tusker’s death in a train collision.
Those suspended are forester Pradeep Dehury and forest guards Hrushikesh Behera and Jayanti Patra, posted in Betnoti range. The move followed a public outrage with locals blaming poor coordination between the forest and railway officials for the mishap.
A 30-year-old tusker was mowed down by Shalimar Express at Agria level crossings between Jogal and Betnoti railway stations under Betnoti forest Range, at around 11.50 pm on Saturday. The tusker had got separated from a herd of 20 elephants, which was roaming in Betnoti range under Baripada forest division for the last some weeks. Locals claimed that the elephant could not run away as the level crossing gate was closed for the train’s arrival. It was thrown off the track and suffered fatal injuries.
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