Tragic Elephant Attack Claims Life of Vegetable Seller in Ramgarh
A vegetable seller from Ramgarh district lost his life in a tragic encounter with a herd of elephants late on Sunday night. The incident occurred in the Gomia block of the district, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Ravindra Dangi, a resident of Murumtala in Ramgarh, was driving his Omni van near Kander village. This area is close to Simraberha Mahto Tola. According to eyewitness accounts, a herd of five elephants intercepted his vehicle on the road.
Locals reported that the elephants used their trunks to pull Dangi out of his van. They then dragged him several meters away before trampling him to death. The victim was in his forties at the time of the attack.
Forest Officials Provide Initial Findings
Sundeep Shinde, the Bokaro divisional forest officer, confirmed the incident took place around 8 pm in the Gomia forest range. He stated that initial investigations suggest Dangi's vehicle may have overturned during the encounter.
"As he stepped out of the vehicle, he was encircled and picked up by the herd," Shinde explained. "This led to him being trampled to death."
Warnings Ignored and Contributing Factors
Forest officials revealed that locals had warned Dangi about the presence of the elephant herd in the area. However, he chose to ignore these warnings and continued driving.
Adding to the danger, Dangi was driving with his headlights turned off. Shinde emphasized this may have been a crucial factor in the fatal encounter. "Driving without headlights likely prevented him from seeing the elephants in time," he noted.
Elephant Herd Movement and Immediate Response
The herd of elephants has been moving along the forest bordering Bokaro and Ramgarh districts. Officials confirmed they are searching for food and water, which occasionally brings them into human settlements.
Following the tragic incident, a quick response team and local forest staff rushed to secure the site. They ensured proper procedures were followed in the aftermath of the attack.
Compensation and Postmortem Procedures
The victim's body was sent for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Forest authorities have already provided partial compensation to Dangi's grieving family.
This tragic event highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in forest-adjacent areas. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by elephants venturing into human habitats.
