Odisha: Forester, Guard Suspended Over Elephants Death In Rourkela, Loco Pilot Summoned

Rourkela: A forester and forest guard were put under suspension by the department in connection with the death of two elephants reportedly in a goods train mishap on February 4.

The two suspended officials are Bisra Range forester Radha Gobinda Bahidar and Jareikela forest guard Gurudeb Bhoi.

According to sources, the Forest department has also summoned the loco pilot of the goods train to appear and submit his statement in connection with the incident.

Notably on February 4, two elephants were killed after being hit by a goods train near Mahipani in Bisra region, Rourkela.

It is suspected that an elephant herd was crossing the railway tracks when the goods train hit them killing two jumbos.

As per Tankadhar Behera, the Assistant Conservator of Forests, Rourkela Division, "Around 30 members of our department were tracking the elephants along the railway track when the speeding train, which was running at around 100 km speed, hit the two jumbos. Though our staff tried to stop the train by giving signal, it didn’t stop."

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)