RAJBIRAJ, March 29: After a few months" lull, human casualties from wild elephant attack have recurred again. A herd of wild elephants on Thursday evening claimed the life of an elderly man and injured a woman in Ghoghanpur VDC of Saptari district.
The deceased has been identified as Bindeshwar Chaudhary, 61,of Ghoghapur VDC-4. [break]
The herd, after entering the human settlement in the evening from nearby Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, went on a rampage, dispersing the locals in a pitiful condition.
“The wild elephants turned up in the village in the night and everyone ran for his or her life. I thought the beasts would not find us in the bamboo grove where we were hiding, but an elephant dragged my father out and trampled him to death,” said Gangaram Chaudhary, son of the deceased, who witnessed his father"s death. “We were helpless and my father died in front of my own eyes,” added Gangaram.
Sangju Khangh, 35, from neighboring Pipra (Purba) VDC-1 was seriously injured in the elephant attack. Her husband Gunai Khangh informed that Sangju, who has received injuries to her back and legs, is undergoing treatment at the Primary Health Care Centre, Kanchanpur.
Following the incident, locals and the relatives of the deceased obstructed transportation along the Kanchanpur-Phattepur road section, demanding compensation for the victims. They lifted their obstruction only after Saptari Police Station settled the issue through a six-point agreement.
Chief of Saptari Police Station Sanjaya Singh said that the family of the deceased will receive an immediate compensation of Rs 50,000 and money for medical treatment and other financial support will follow as per the pact.
Locals have been traumatised by the gruesome killing. “We encountered many elephant intrusions in the past year but this is the first time someone has been killed,” said Rameshwar Shardar, a local man.
The northeastern area of the district, particularly Bhardaha, Ghoghanpur, Pato, Bairawa, Baramjhiya, Badgama, Jagatpur, Jandaul and Trikola VDCs, has been the major scene of elephant attacks in the past.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that Badri Kumar Mukhiya of Jagadpur VDC, who was injured in a wild buffalo attack, has not received any compensation from the wildlife reserve. A wild buffalo that entered the village from Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve brutally attacked Mukhiya on June 26, 2010, inflicting injuries to the head, eyes and belly.
While awaiting compensation, Mukhikya had undergone treatment through personal expense and with loans. His injuries have healed.
“We submitted a statement demanding compensation for the injuries, but the wildlife reserve has been quiet about it,” said Badri"s father, Chutharu Mukhiya.
Under the law, wildlife reserves and conservation areas are obliged to offer compensation to anyone injured or killed by the protected animals. “The reserve turned a deaf ear and I had to take loans from villagers for my son"s treatment,” said Chutharu.
“He has lost his mental balance following his injuries and I don"t know how I will pay for his cure,” he added.
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