Elephant die as running train hits it

Agartala, Jan 14 (PTI) An elephant was killed when itwas hit by running train at Atharamura hill range, about 70 kmfrom here, Forest department sources said today.

Sources said, the incident occurred last evening whena female elephant with three calves were crossing the railwaytrack, an Agartala-bound train from Silchar hit the elephantwhen the calves had crossed the track.

Sources said, the calves were unharmed and added agroup of elephants went on the rampage after the incident anddamaged crop fields in the area.

The carcass of the elephant was recovered by theforest officials with the help of police.

Tripura Forest Minister, Jitendra Chowdhury saidaltogether three elephants were killed in the state this yeardue to different reasons.

He said, due to food crisis in the hills and adjoiningareas Bangladesh the elephants were frequently entering intothe habitat areas and damaging crops.