In Marangloia village of Balumath police station area, wild elephants killed two youths last night. The deceased were identified as Lakhan Bhagat and Virendra Ganjhu. The villagers told about this incident that both the youths had gone for a walk away from the village. During this, they came in front of the elephants and the elephants slammed both the youths to death. Since the information about the incident has spread, there is panic among the people on one hand and on the other hand there is resentment towards the forest department. To demand protection from wild elephants, villagers gathered at Marangloia Chowk and demonstrated demanding protection from elephants.
Villagers allege that incidents of elephants getting angry and clashes with humans are happening every day in the area. But the forest department is completely indifferent about this matter. Elephants have so far claimed six lives in the area. No effort is being made by the forest department to drive the elephants away. After getting information about the incident, the forest department officials reached the village and took stock of the situation. The officials have assured the villagers that the forest department is calling a team from outside to drive the elephants away from the village. He also assured to give compensation to the relatives of the deceased under the government provision. After this the demonstration of the villagers stopped.
(EW correspondent)
