Authorities suspended three Forest personnel after a train fatally struck a tusker in Betnoti range, Mayurbhanj.
Forester Pradeep Dehury and Forest Guards Hrushikesh Behera and Jayanti Patra, all stationed at Betnoti, now face charges of dereliction of duty.
The tragic incident unfolded on November 2 when a 30-year-old tusker, separated from a herd of 20 elephants that had wandered from Jharkhand, attempted to cross railway tracks on NH-18 near Agria level crossing. As the elephant moved toward Sarbana village in search of fodder, it became trapped between two railway gates. Moments later, the speeding Shalimar Express struck the animal around 11:30 pm.
Although villagers rushed to the scene and tried to guide the elephant away, their efforts failed. The collision inflicted fatal injuries, and the tusker died shortly after. Investigators later discovered that the train was running behind schedule, but the delay had not been communicated between the Railways and Forest department.
The tusker’s death ignited widespread anger among locals and wildlife activists. Many blamed the Forest department for poor coordination with railway authorities. Consequently, the tragedy renewed demands for dedicated elephant corridors, enhanced monitoring systems, and stronger inter-agency communication.
This incident adds to growing concerns over elephant deaths near railway lines in Odisha, where forest zones frequently intersect with busy train routes. Conservationists continue to urge authorities to implement long-term solutions to prevent such avoidable losses.
