Dhenkanal: Tension prevailed near Satmile Chhak in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district as villagers blocked the Cuttack-Sambalpur road to protest against the death of three persons in an elephant attack on Thursday morning.
The tragic incident was reported from Baghadharia village under Hindol police limits. The deceased have been identified as Jhulana Dehuri (55), her brother-in-law Karunakar Dehuri (60), and Sashi Sahu. They were attacked by an elephant at around 4.30-5 am while going to a nearby pond in their village to take bath.
The incident sparked outrage among villagers, who accused authorities of inaction despite frequent elephant intrusions. They demanded compensation for the bereaved families and solar-powered fences. SDPO Satya Kumar Nanda, Hindol IIC Charulata Behera, and Forest Ranger Gautam Pradhan soon reached the spot to pacify the protestors.
Meanwhile, the state government has suspended forester and forest guard in-charge of Rasol Beat Lusimita Singh and announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia each to the next of kin of the deceased as per the provisions of compassionate grant in the event of death due to wild animal attack. “The compensation will be provided to the families of all three deceased who lost their lives in the incident. Strict action will also be taken against the officials who have been negligent in their duties,” said Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, while expressing grief over the deaths.
The departmental officials have been asked to investigate the matter and initiate appropriate action, he added.
PCCF Wildlife Prem Kumar Jha said Rs 1 lakh of the compensation amount will be disbursed immediately.
Sources further stated that around 200 elephants are currently at Hindol range and the full-grown male, which had been roaming in the area alone, was driven away to a nearby forest. “More than 100 protection squad members have been deployed to monitor movement of elephants in the range. An additional 25 volunteers have also been mobilised now to intensify it further in the affected area,” Dhenkanal DFO Sumit Kumar Kar told TNIE.
