Three people were killed in an elephant attack in Baghadharia village under Hindol in Dhenkanal district on Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as Jhulana Dehuri (55), her brother-in-law Karunakar Dehuri (60), and a villager named Sashi Sahu.
Reports indicate that the attack occurred while Jhulana was picking flowers near her home. Suddenly, a wild elephant appeared and charged at her. Hearing her cries for help, her brother-in-law, Karunakar, rushed outside but was also attacked by the elephant. Unfortunately, both Jhulana and Karunakar died at the scene.
Shortly thereafter, another villager, Sashi Sahu, came face-to-face with the elephant and was severely injured. Locals rushed him to the Angul district headquarters hospital, but doctors later declared Sashi dead.
The tragedy sparked unrest in the area, with grieving locals staging a road blockade near Satmile Chhak, demanding immediate action and justice.
Responding to the widespread outrage, Odisha’s Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia confirmed that the families of the deceased will be granted financial compensation. He further announced that disciplinary action has been taken against the concerned forest personnel—Rasol Forester and Forest Guard—on grounds of negligence in duty.
“This is a painful moment for the state. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and assure strict enforcement against those responsible,” the minister stated. He also conveyed condolences and wished for peace to the departed souls.
