Odisha News: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Oct 17: In a tragic incident, a member of an elephant squad was trampled to death by a wild tusker in Jharbeda village, located within the Sadar Forest Range of Odisha’s Keonjhar district, late Wednesday night. The victim, identified as Basanta Mahanta from Gobindapur village, was part of a team tasked with driving a herd of seven elephants that had wandered into the village back into the forest.
The elephants were reportedly damaging standing crops and causing panic among local residents, prompting villagers to alert the Forest Department for assistance. Upon receiving the call, a team of forest officials, along with the elephant squad, arrived at the scene to manage the situation.
During the operation, one tusker charged at Basanta, lifting him and slamming him against a nearby tree, resulting in fatal injuries. While other team members managed to escape unharmed, the incident has left the community in shock. Locals are now demanding compensation for Basanta’s family, emphasizing the risks faced by those protecting wildlife and the surrounding agricultural areas.
