In a heart-wrenching incident in Keonjhar district’s Barbil Range, Guali Forest Section, a wild elephant attack in Kendudihi jungle claimed the lives of a husband and wife, Raju Munda and Rina Munda, on June 13, 2025.
The couple, residents of Kendudihi village, had ventured into the forest to collect firewood when the tragedy struck. Rina Munda, aged 40, died instantly at the scene, while Raju Munda, critically injured, was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries later.
The incident sent shockwaves through the local community, leading to an outpouring of grief and anger. Over 200 villagers, including men and women, gathered at the site and confronted forest officials, including the Barbil Ranger and Guali forester, who had arrived with a forest squad to respond to the tragedy.
Tensions escalated as the crowd attacked the forest personnel, accusing them of failing to manage the growing human-wildlife conflict in the region. When local police intervened to control the situation, they too faced the wrath of the agitated villagers. Reports indicate that a group of women assaulted the Guali forester, dragging him nearly a kilometre in a shocking display of fury.
The deaths of Raju and Rina Munda have reignited concerns about the rising incidents of elephant attacks in Keonjhar, a district known for its dense forests and rich biodiversity. Villagers have long complained about inadequate measures to prevent wildlife from straying into human settlements, a problem exacerbated by deforestation and habitat encroachment.
The tragic loss has left the community in mourning and sparked calls for immediate action to address human-elephant conflicts.
