Seventh Fatality Linked to Elephant Herd Deepens Fear Across Hazaribagh–Ramgarh Belt
Tension continues to mount in parts of Jharkhand after another person lost her life in an elephant attack, barely a day after six villagers were killed in Gondwar village under Churchu block of Hazaribagh district.
Forest officials have confirmed that the same herd of elephants was involved in the latest incident, intensifying anxiety among residents.
The fresh casualty occurred on Friday night at Bhurkunda Tola in Kajri village, located under the Bahera panchayat in the Ramgarh forest division, which shares a boundary with Gondwar.
According to officials, a group of five elephants entered the residence of Rajesh Murmu while the family was asleep. The animals damaged parts of the house during the intrusion.
Rajesh Murmu managed to escape by climbing over a boundary wall. However, his wife, Phulmuni Devi, who remained inside, was fatally trampled.
Villagers said they tried to scare the herd away after hearing the commotion, but the woman had already been attacked by the time help arrived.
Following the incident, panic spread through nearby settlements. Several families left their homes and spent the night at the Bahera panchayat building, fearing further movement of the elephants in the vicinity.
Divisional Forest Officer Nitish Kumar of the Ramgarh Division stated that the same herd had been linked to the six deaths reported in Gondwar a day earlier.
He noted that the elephants have been roaming across Bokaro, Ramgarh, and Hazaribagh districts over the past two months.
Given that a herd can travel up to 40 kilometres in a single day, tracking their movement remains challenging.
According to the officer, the herd moved from the Hazaribagh forest division into the Ramgarh area, carried out the attack, and then returned toward Hazaribagh.
He added that the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) has issued directions for tranquilisation and containment measures.
However, such steps will depend on locating the herd and conducting a proper assessment.
A specialised team of veterinarians and wildlife rescue personnel is being brought in from Odisha for further monitoring and evaluation.
Officials clarified that no team from Vantara is currently involved in the operation.
Authorities said the underlying reason for the herd’s aggressive behaviour has not yet been established and will be examined by the incoming experts.
With twelve deaths reported in the past ten days across the region, frustration among residents is growing. Many villagers have accused the forest department of failing to take timely preventive measures to safeguard lives as the elephants continue to move through inhabited areas.
#Jharkhand #ElephantAttack #Hazaribagh #Ramgarh #HumanWildlifeConflict #ForestDepartment #RuralCrisis
