The increasing threat posed by wild elephants continues to trouble several regions of Jharkhand, with new incidents emerging from different districts. In a tragic incident, two people were killed after being trampled by a herd of elephants in Koderma district, while crops and property were damaged in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The fatal attack took place in the Jainagar police station area, where a herd of elephants entered Kanjhiyadih village on Tuesday night and attacked a brick kiln. The animals destroyed makeshift shelters, sparking panic among workers residing there.
The deceased have been identified as 32-year-old labourer Rajkumar Manjhi and a 12-year-old boy, Lovkush. Three others sustained serious injuries in the attack, including Rajkumar’s wife, Gauri Devi, Lovkush’s mother, Kari Devi, and a toddler aged about one-and-a-half years. All the injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital.
Following the incident, villagers voiced strong anger toward the forest department, alleging that it has failed to implement effective measures to control elephant movement despite their frequent presence in the area.
Also read: Nagaland sets up wildlife division to tackle elephant conflict
A few days earlier, on April 19, another elephant attack in the Satgawan block of Koderma claimed the life of a youth, sparking protests. Enraged locals blocked the Gaya–Deoghar road, demanding compensation and improved safety arrangements.
Meanwhile, in the Chandil forest region of Seraikela-Kharsawan district, an elephant caused significant damage in Tiruldih village under the Rusuniya panchayat on Tuesday night. The animal entered a government primary school and consumed nearly one-and-a-half quintals of rice meant for the midday meal scheme. It also destroyed banana plantations and vegetable crops in nearby Bana village, including cucumber fields.
Local farmers report that elephant herds have been camping in the Chandil subdivision for years, often entering villages after dusk. These repeated incidents have created a climate of fear, with many residents staying awake through the night to protect their homes and farmland.
Follow us
