Injured tusker released at Sukna forest

Elephant that went on rampage in Siliguri on Wednesday was released in the forest at Sukna on Thursday afternoon after doctors declared it fit. 

It may be mentioned that the elephant had injured some men, damaged several houses and crops in Siliguri town and adjacent villages. 

Officials of the state forest department and doctors stated that the animals had some problem in one eye and on Wednesday he had received injuries in another eye. As a result, he couldn’t see properly and went on a rampage. 

The elephant was tranquilised and taken to Sukna forest. The tusker underwent treatment throughout the night in the forest and it was released after doctors declared it fit.  

“Though much was not possible, but necessary treatment was given to make the elephant feel better,” said an official. 

Top district officials and forest department on Thursday held a meeting to discuss the compensation package that to be given to the people whose property were damaged. People were found collecting forms to apply for compensation at the range office. “I cannot recollect that when such an incident had taken place in the past. Thus it is a difficult to ascertain that who incurred what amount of loss. Whatever, the compensation will be directly getting deposited in bank account of an affected person,” said an official. 

Meanwhile, some residents of Talanda village at Beliatore in Bankura put up a road block demanding compensation as their crops were damaged by elephants. A herd of tuskers enter the village almost every night and damage crops.