Tusker kills one, injures several in West Champaran

Speed Post News Network

Bagaha: Residents of Bhikhanathori  under Gaunaha block in West Champaran woke up to the thud of falling banana trees and crumbling of houses in the wee hour on Thursday. An elephant from Nepal had entered the area via Pandayee river in search of paddy crops. The tusker continued destruction for the whole day on Thursday razing the houses of Durga prasad, Savitri Devi and Ashok.Singh to the ground injuring the house inmates and killing Mamata Kumari, 12, daughter of Subas Mahto.

Kariman Mahto(65) and his wife Matisra Devi(60), who were among injured, said that many villagers got injured in a stampade while runing  away from the elephant’s path. DFO division-1, Valmiki tiger reserve (VTR) Alok Kumar, SSB deputy commandant Ajay kumar Rajak and Circle officer (CO),  Gaunaha, K K Singh reached the spot on getting information about the destruction caused by the elephant. They, however, lacked equipment to tackle the tusker.

The DFO announced payment of Rs five lakh as compensation to the family of the deceased within a week while  Rs.10,000 was paid on the spot for the last rites of the girl. The injured were sent  to Narakatiaganj primary health centre (PHC)  for medicare. The body was sent to MJK hospital, Bettiah, for autopsy. The VTR is located along Chatawan National park in Nepal, a tusker shelter. DFO Alok Kumar later informed that the wild elephant was seen entering the Chitawan national park in Nepal.