Woman killed, husband injured in elephant attack

Keonjhar: A 45-year-old woman was killed and her husband was critically injured in an elephant attack at Udayagiri village in Keonjhar district on Wednesday.The deceased was identified as Labanya Palei. Her husband, Jadu Palei (50), is undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital. The couple was collecting cashews in a nearby field when a herd of 16 elephants attacked them. An elephant lifted Labanya and trampled her. When Jadu tried to save her, the elephant struck him in the chest with tusks. Forest officials from Telkoi range rushed to the spot after being alerted and shifted both victims to Telkoi community health centre. Labanya died on the way. "Despite several awareness campaigns, people are still not following safety guidelines," said Shivaji Mohan Rao, range officer of Telkoi. He confirmed that compensation would be provided to the deceased's family as per govt rules. Currently, two herds comprising 37 elephants are moving around the Telkoi range, damaging crops and houses. Locals are living in fear, spending sleepless nights due to the elephant depredation. Their movement across Keonjhar and Dhenkanal district has made it difficult for forest officials to control them. Elephant driving squads have been deployed to track the herds and alert villagers.