Human-wildlife conflict continues; man killed by elephant-attack in Karimganj

A Karimganj resident was killed in an elephant attack last evening. He came across a group of wild elephants while visiting his daughter’s house. The baffled man was killed upon failing to escape from the gigantic herd. This incident took place in the Shephinjuri Tea Estate area of Karimganj. The forest department and the police arrived in the scene soon after they received the news and the body was then sent for further post mortem examinations.

The victim, Satrughna Balmik Das, aged around 50 years, was travelling to his daughter’s house while this tragic incident doomed upon him. He came across a herd of wild elephants on his way and was attacked by the animals. The man was killed in an attempt to escape. The local workers of the tea estate were the ones to discover the body and immediately informed the police. He was later identified as a resident of Karimganj whose only source of income was begging. He had a family of 5, three daughters, a wife and himself. The body of the deceased was then sent to the hospital by the police for further post mortem examinations.

The forest department officials were also present at the scene. ” There was a meeting held to address the need of bringing in more male elephants in the area as there’s only the female ones present now and it is becoming difficult to sustain a family in this situation. So, I agreed to this inspite of a few disagreements from the other members, thinking about the greater good. But after this incident, I too, do not wish to bring in more of these animals”, said the President of the Gaon Panchayat.

This tragedy has brought upon a great deal of sorrow to the family and relatives of the deceased. For them, the joy and cheerfulness of Durga Puja has now turned into a cloud of grief.