rogue tusker tramples eight, flees to Jharkhand

Purulia, May 23 (UNI) The rogue elephant today killed two more villagers at Arida here, taking the toll to eight in the past three days.

Police said the tusker trampled to death one man and a woman early today at Arida, bordering West Bengal's Purulia and Jharkhand's Bokaro district.

Five people were also injured, two of them critically. They have been admitted to Bokaro hospital and a primary health centre here.

Purulia Divisional Forest Officer K Balamurugan said the wild pachyderm was roaming around the Bansgarh, Pundagh and Khatanga areas near the Jharkhand border and entered the state after attacking villagers and damaging several houses.

Two sharp shooters from Bankura forest department and Kolkata were also called here yesterday to shoot the tusker, Mr Balamurugan said. However, they were unsuccessful as the tusker was not within the point blank range.

Kolkata Chief Conservatror of Forests Azam Jahedi today paid compensation of Rs 50,000 to the kins of the six victims, including two children.

The rest would be receiving the amount in cheque later, Mr Jahedi informed.

UNI XC PP DB1837