Keonjhar, June 14: Three people lost their lives in two separate incidents of elephant attacks in Joda block of Odisha's Keonjhar district, highlighting the growing threat of human-wildlife conflict in the region.
In the first incident, a man and a woman identified as Santosh Munda and Reena Munda were trampled to death by a stray elephant in the forests near Guali panchayat. The victims, residents of Kendudihi Mundavasti village, were reportedly collecting leaves in the forest when they were suddenly attacked by the elephant.
Both died on the spot due to severe injuries.
Soon after the tragedy, tension flared in the area as angry villagers confronted forest department officials, alleging a delayed response and lack of preventive measures.
The confrontation reflected local frustrations over repeated elephant intrusions and insufficient action from the authorities.
In a separate incident on the same day, another person, a youth was killed in an elephant attack near Kalimati village, also in Joda block under the Champua Forest Range. While local residents claimed the youth belonged to the area, officials were yet to confirm his identity at the time of reporting.
These back-to-back fatalities have sparked fresh concerns over the increasing frequency of elephant movements in human settlements and forest fringes.
Wildlife experts and local residents are urging the government to take more effective steps to address the ongoing conflict and ensure the safety of both humans and animals.
Forest officials said efforts are underway to track and monitor the movement of the elephants involved, and compensation procedures for the victims’ families will follow standard protocol.
The Keonjhar district, known for its dense forests and mining operations, has witnessed several such tragic encounters in recent years, raising questions about habitat disruption and the urgent need for long-term solutions.
