1 trampled to death, two injured in elephant attack

One person was trampled to death while two others suffered injuries when a wild elephant entered Kudru locality here, creating panic among locals, forest department officials said today.
Divisional Forest Officer, Rajiv Lochan Buxi said the elephant from Bundu jungle entered into Tupudana area and damaged several houses before it passed through Birsa chowk to reach Kudru area last night.
The elephant trampled 42-year-old Baldev Mahali while he was sleeping and injuring rickshaw puller Chamu Munda and his wife Etwari last night, the DFO said.
On being informed, Buxi along with adequate forest personnel, attempted to drive away the pachyderm back into the jungle with the help of the Argora policemen and local residents.

The elephant, however, reached on Ranchi-Hatia rail track, disrupting rail services for sometime before it was driven back into the jungle.
Meanwhile, local residents ran for safety as it had damaged several houses.
Buxi said an immediate relief has been provided to the affected families.