Chaibasa: Panic continues to grip the Chaibasa subdivision of West Singhbhum as wild elephant attacks show no signs of stopping. In a chilling midnight incident on Tuesday, a tusker barged into a village and crushed five members of a single family to death while they were asleep inside their home. The victims included a husband, wife, and their three minor children. One child miraculously survived the attack.
According to villagers, the elephant suddenly entered the village late at night and targeted the family’s house. The animal smashed through the walls and trampled those inside, destroying the dwelling. Hearing screams, locals rushed to the scene, but by the time help arrived, five family members had died on the spot. The lone surviving child was rescued and shifted to safety.
15 Deaths in a Week, Villages Living in Fear
With the latest tragedy, the death toll from elephant attacks in the Chaibasa region has climbed to 15 within just a week. Repeated incidents have triggered widespread fear across rural pockets, with villagers staying awake through the night or abandoning their homes after sunset to avoid attacks.
Forest department officials stated that elephant herds are increasingly straying from forest zones into agricultural fields and residential areas. Shrinking forest cover and large-scale crop damage are believed to be key factors behind the rising aggression, intensifying the human-elephant conflict in the region.
Expert Teams Deployed, ₹4 Lakh Compensation Announced
In response to the escalating crisis, the forest department has deployed an expert team from Van Tara to capture and relocate the rogue elephant. A specialised team from Bengal has also been pressed into service. The district administration has announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh for each deceased family member.
However, angry villagers have accused the forest department of negligence, alleging that repeated warnings about elephant movement were ignored. Residents have demanded immediate and permanent measures to prevent further loss of life.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Worsens in Jharkhand
The tragedy has once again underlined the deepening human-wildlife conflict in Jharkhand. Wildlife experts warn that unless urgent steps are taken to restore forest habitats, protect elephant corridors, and create buffer zones near villages, such fatal encounters will continue—posing a serious threat to both human lives and wildlife conservation.
