Jumbo kills Jamtara couple, angry locals hold forest officer ‘hostage’

Dumka: A middle-aged couple was trampled to death by an elephant in Maldiha village in Jamtara district on Sunday when they were out to attend nature’s call. The incident occurred under Fatehpur police station.
The deceased were identified as Jiyalal Pawariya (52) and his wife Sonamani Tudu. The incident sparked protests by local villagers who gheraoed lady range officer Pratima Kumari for several hours in the morning. Later, district authorities pacified the mob with an assurance to drive away the elephant to a safer place.
Sources said that it was the same elephant which got separated from its herd few months ago and is roaming across different districts of Santhal Pargana, killing at least 11 persons in the recent times. A month ago, the same elephant had wreaked havoc in adjoining Dumka town.
Ironically, forest officials continue to blame human misadventures, including pelting stones and taking selfies, to be the reasons for casualties without taking concrete measures to keep jumbos away from human population.
“The dependants of the deceased couple were given an interim relief of Rs 10,000 and will be duly compensated by the forest department after completion of the due formalities,” block development officer of Fatehpur Mukesh Kumar Bouri said.