Tusker kills one in Salboni

A 58-year-old man was killed after being trampled by an elephant in his village at Salboni in West Midnapore late Thursday night.

Police said the victim, Bankim Mahato is a resident of Vaonda village at Jhargram and the incident took place when he was going to attend a marriage ceremony.

According to an official of the state fire department, a herd of elephant from the nearby forests entered the villages in search of water. 

There was scarcity of water in the forests in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia due to excessive heat. The streams and ponds in the forests had dried up. Thus the elephants are entering the villages.

On Thursday night Mahato and his wife found the herd of tuskers crossing a road through which they had to pass as early as possible. In a hurry, the couple tried to pass the area considering that the tuskers will not notice them. But an elephant suddenly started chasing Mahato and trampled him. 

His wife fell on the road while trying to run away and received injuries.

Receiving the information the forest department officials rushed to the spot and took the couple to hospital, where Mahato was declared brought dead while his wife was admitted.

After killing Mahato, the herd of elephant entered a village and damaged several houses. The tuskers ran amok when the villagers attempted to send them back to the forest.

The attempt of the forest department officials in sending the tuskers back had also failed. Instead of returning to the forest, the elephants entered another village and damaged houses and crop.  

The forest department officials urged the villagers to be alert at night as the tuskers can attack at anytime. 

They have also advised the villagers not to face the tuskers and instead asked them to contact the officials in case of any emergency.