Keonjhar jumbo deaths: Show-cause notice issued to DRM, ranger

A day after three elephants died after being hit by a goods train in Odisha's Keonjhar, the forest department has issued show-cause notices to Chakradharpur divisional railway manager (DRM) and Champua ranger on Saturday.

Three elephants, who were part of a herd, were hit by a train near Bansapani Behera hutting under the Joda police station while they were crossing the railway tracks. While a calf succumbed to the injuries on the same day, two more elephants including a calf and a female jumbo died on Friday. 

Keonjhar divisional forest officer (DFO) on Saturday informed that the department has served the show-cause notices on the DRM of Chakradharpur division and the ranger of Champua.

"We will definitely take action as the location where the incident took place is beyond the forest limits and there is a road on the other side of the railway track. The location is not a passage for elephants and the road is at a higher altitude," said Shashi Paul, PCCF.

Pal added, "We are closing the paths with solar fencing excluding the areas where the movement of elephants is frequently noticed. Even guards will be appointed at such openings."