Elephant attack claims lives of 2 elderly women in Angul

Despite a plethora of efforts to minimise human-animal conflict, Odisha continues to witness an upward trend in deaths due to wild animal attacks. In the latest instance, two women from Badakantakula village in Angul district allegedly died in an elephant attack on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Muli Pradhan and Gouri Roula.

According to sources, an elephant attacked them when they had gone to a mango orchard near their home. 

While Muli died on the spot, Gouri sustained grievous injuries in the attack. A critically injured Gouri was rushed to a hospital where she died while undergoing treatment, sources added.

“An elephant suddenly attacked my mother and another woman when they had gone to a mango orchard. While the other woman died on the spot, my mother succumbed to her injuries during treatment,” said Makar Dhwaja Roul, son of a deceased.

On being informed about the incident, the forest department official visited the spot and launched an investigation into the matter.

“There are three elephants- two males and one female. Even after several awareness drives, people are still going to fetch mangoes in the wee hours. A sum of Rs 4 lakh will be given to the deceased’s family as compensation,” said Ranjan Kumar Behera, Angul ACF.