Jumbo herd tramples woman, her 2 kids in Bargarh

BHUBANESWAR/BARGARH: A mother and two of her children were trampled to death by elephants while three others were injured while sleeping in the backyard of their house on Monday night at Saldihi village under Paikmal forest range in Bargarh forest division.
The villagers alleged the forest department had no information about the herd's movement in the village area.The victims were identified as Pana Bariha (33), Sunanda Bariha (11), and Aditya Bariha (3). The three injured are currently undergoing treatment at the sub-divisional hospital in Padampur. Their condition is stated to be stable.
Bargarh divisional forest officer Bikram Dev Pattnaik said the family was caught unawares. "It seems the elephants have been roaming around the Paikmal area for fodder. We have deployed a forester, forest guard, and elephant squad members to monitor the movement of the herd in the area," he said
'Alert issued to villagers'
Bargarh DFO Bikram Dev Pattnaik said that according to norms, an ex gratia of Rs 60,000 will be given to the next of kin of the deceased.
Forest officials claimed that an alert had been issued to the villagers through loudspeaker. However, the victims, sleeping in their thatched home, did not stand a chance. The elephants damaged the house in search of paddy, a source said. Locals said the village located near the Putkidungri forest, has been witnessing elephant menace for the past few days. The jumbo herds have damaged crops, school buildings and nearby houses.
Bipin Bariha, the deceased woman's husband, said, "The elephants overturned my cot so I could flee. My wife and two kids were sleeping at home. The elephants trampled them all."
In Karanjia forest division, a herd of 27 elephants from Jharkhand has strayed into human habitation causing panic among villagers. The forest personnel are keeping a watch on the movement of the animals. In Bhubaneswar, an elephant strayed into human habitation in Andharua area sparking panic.