Wild jumbo tramples priest to death

Bahraich: A 100-year-old priest was killed by a wild elephant in Bahraich district on Sunday night, marking the second elephant-related death in the area within two days. Forest officials have now advised villagers not to venture alone into forest areas, especially at night.The incident occurred at Katiyara Baba Kutia under the Katarniaghat wildlife division. The deceased, Suresh Das (100), was a resident of Hazaripurwa village in the Karikot area. He had been performing worship rituals at the Kutia for the past 15 years and was a lifelong celibate.On Sunday around 8:30pm, Das was having dinner with his companion Ram Lakhan. After the meal, Lakhan stepped out to wash utensils, leaving the priest inside the hut. During this time, an elephant entered the hut and began damaging it. Lakhan said that when he returned, he saw the elephant inside and went to fetch a torch. Meanwhile, the elephant started breaking the hut. The priest reportedly said to the elephant, "Will you destroy everything? Where will we live?"Enraged, the elephant chased the priest. Unable to escape, he fell to the ground. The elephant lifted him with its tusks, slammed him to the ground, and then crushed him under its feet. The priest died on the spot.Lakhan immediately informed the gram pradhan, Shyam Lal, who arrived at the scene along with villagers. SHO of Sujauli police station, Prakash Chandra Sharma, and a forest department team also reached the spot.Katarniaghat ranger Ashish Gond stated that elephant movement in the region has increased significantly, making it difficult for teams to reach the site at night. Forest officials have alerted forest staff and ‘Gajmitra' teams. Residents of forest-adjacent villages have been advised to remain vigilant, carry torches at night and avoid entering the forest alone.On Friday afternoon, another tragic incident occurred on the Bichhiya-Mihipurwa road under the same wildlife division. A woman riding a motorcycle with her two sons was attacked by an elephant. As the bike slowed down on the road, the elephant suddenly charged. The sons, Karan and Arjun, stated that the elephant grabbed their mother with its trunk, threw her down, and trampled her before walking back into the forest. Both sons were seriously injured in the attack.