Wild elephant attacks have intensified across Sundargarh district, claiming three lives in separate incidents within three days. The growing human-elephant conflict has triggered panic and frustration among villagers.
On Sunday morning, a tusker killed a 60‑year‑old man in Prem Nagar under the Bondamunda area near Rourkela. Locals said the elephant strayed from a nearby herd near Kacharu and entered the settlement, attacking the victim. The incident has left residents terrified.
A day earlier, a tusker trampled Jamuna Mahant, a 55‑year‑old woman from Kachupada village under Banki Range, when she encountered the animal while stepping out of her house. In another attack, a 65‑year‑old woman died instantly after being crushed by a wild elephant in the Jayadega forest under the Biramitrapur Range.
Villagers accused the Forest Department of failing to control elephant movement despite repeated assurances. They said officials only provide compensation after deaths, but take no preventive measures to protect human lives.
