Jamshedpur Villagers Stage Protest After Elephant Rampage Claims 20 Lives
Angry residents from several villages in West Singhbhum district took to the streets on Saturday. They protested against the forest department's handling of a deadly elephant situation. The demonstration followed a tragic series of events where a single-tusked elephant trampled twenty people to death between January 1 and January 10 this year.
Protesters Demand Justice and Higher Compensation
Led by the Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Party (AKMP), locals gathered in Nimdih village under the Tonto block. Their primary demand was for increased financial compensation for the families of the deceased. John Miral Munda of AKMP voiced the community's frustration clearly. "What is the point in having so many forest officials when they can't drive away the elephant and avert the killings," he questioned during the protest.
The death toll included nineteen local villagers and one member of a rescue squad from West Bengal. These incidents occurred across the Goilkera, Noamundi, Majhgaon, and Tonto blocks of the district. Notably, the rogue elephant has not been sighted in the area since January 10.
Locals Blame Deforestation and Mining for Increased Attacks
Protesters pointed a finger at the state government. They blamed indiscriminate tree felling by timber mafias in the Saranda Forest and extensive mining activities. According to the villagers, these actions are directly responsible for the rising number of elephant attacks on their communities.
Mohan Tudu, a local resident and one of the agitators, explained the severity of the problem. "The marauding tusker's violent attacks are an unprecedented thing to happen in our district in recent memory," he said. "But otherwise, we are experiencing elephant herds attacking our houses, fields, and our people on a regular basis. Why is this happening?" These attacks result not only in loss of life but also cause significant damage to properties and harvests.
Compensation Disparity Fuels Anger
A key point of contention for the protesters is the compensation amount. Mohan Tudu and others highlighted a stark difference between neighboring states. They claimed that the Odisha government provides an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of those killed in elephant attacks. In contrast, the Jharkhand government offers only Rs 4 lakh, which they consider paltry and insufficient.
Forest Department's Response and Awareness Drive
The protests coincided with the forest department intensifying its awareness campaign in the affected region. Officials are circulating audio messages in both Hindi and the local Ho language. These messages are being shared on WhatsApp and broadcast on local radio stations.
Regional Chief Conservator of Forest (RCCF) Smita Pankaj detailed another initiative. "We have also appealed to the people to download the Mera Hati 2.0 app on their mobile phones," she stated. "This app will provide them with updates on the location and movement of elephant herds in their vicinity." This technological approach aims to give villagers real-time information to enhance their safety.
The situation remains tense in West Singhbhum as communities grapple with loss and seek stronger action and support from authorities.
