Rajganj, 16th November: Two women were trampled to death and another was injured after a wild elephant attacked them in Jaldumur adjacent to Sahudangi. The deceased have been identified as Pusuni Roy (50) and Anita Roy (42).
Reportedly, about 13 women had gone to the local Baikunthapur forest on Tuesday morning to fetch wood, when they accidentally walked into a herd of elephants. Startled by the tuskers, some women ran away from the forest, however, Pushuni and Anita were attacked by the animals. Later the women somehow managed to rescue Anita and tried to rush her home, but she died on the way. On the other hand, the women could not save Pushuni from the elephant attack.
The forest officials of Dabgram and Ambari range were informed. The personnel reached the spot last night and recovered the body of Pushuni Roy. In this regard, Manibala Roy, one of the victim’s relatives, said that the families in the area cook food with traditional fuel like wood as they cannot afford cooking gas. “My mother-in-law went to the forest to fetch wood yesterday and she was attacked by an elephant. I appeal to the government for help,” she added.
Meanwhile, Ambari Range Officer Sudipta Sarkar said that they received a report yesterday regarding the 13 women of Jaldumur area who were attacked by elephants while they were collecting wood in the forest. Two of whom died and one was injured. He further maintained that the dead body was recovered in the night and handed over to Ambari Out Post police. Police sent the body to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for postmortem and are probing the incident.