Four killed in separate elephant attacks in Odisha as forest employees continue symbolic protest

At least four people were killed in Sambalpur and Angul districts and several houses were damaged in various parts of the State by marauding elephants on Wednesday. 

The loss of lives and properties occurred at a time when the forest department employees are on a symbolic protest against the killing of two foresters by poachers in Similipal recently.

As per reports, the agitating Forest Department officials are refraining from patrolling duty as part of their symbolic protest. As a result, the wild elephants from the forest are straying into several villages and urban areas across the State causing widespread damage to life and property.

At least three wild elephants strayed from Bharatpur forest near Sikhar Chandi hill yesterday and they were on the rampage unleashing a reign of terror in the area. The herd destroyed anything that came on their way in Ganesh Vihar area. Though local people informed forest officials about the marauding pachyderms, it fell on deaf ears. The forest officials didn’t pay any heed to the request of the people to drive away the elephants due to the ongoing protest.

Meanwhile, as many as four people died in elephant attacks at various places in Sambalpur and Angul districts. The owner of a dhaba was trampled by a pachyderm along the National Highway 55 near Jujumura range in Sambalpur. Another person died in an elephant attack at Budhikhamar village under Badamala range in the district. Similarly, wild tuskers killed two persons in Bantala Forest Range area in Angul district recently.