2 dead in different incidents of elephant attack in Darjeeling and Alipurduar districts

In Bagdogra, some 14km from Siliguri, a wild elephant came from the nearby Bengdubi forest

A still from the video footage of the wild elephant that killed a person in Bagdogra early on Saturday morning.:The Telegraph

TT Bureau, Siliguri, Alipurduar, 17.12.23 : Two persons died while another escaped with injuries in different incidents of elephant attack in Darjeeling and Alipurduar districts on Saturday.

In Bagdogra, some 14km from Siliguri, a wild elephant came from the nearby Bengdubi forest.

Dilip Roy, a 40-year-old resident of Natunpara, came close to the elephant. The animal wrapped him with its trunk and tossed him hard on the ground.

Residents rushed Dilip to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

As the news spread, a team from Bagdogra forest range under Kurseong forest division reached the spot. They said that the elephant, a lone tusker, entered Masjidpara of Bagdogra around 6am. It then wandered into Natunpara and Bhujiapani.

Foresters located the elephant.

“The elephant has taken refuge in the Bengdubi army cantonment area. We are keeping a close watch on it. The victim’s family will be compensated soon,” said a forester.

In Alipurduar, an elephant attacked Binu Roy, 40, of Chapaguri forest village when she went to Dhumchi forest area to collect firewood.

Foresters and police recovered her body. Her family will not receive any compensation as she entered a reserve forest area, forest officials said.

Rabindra Barman, a resident of Kumargram block, was attacked by an elephant while he was returning from the Sankosh river.

The incident happened in Chengmari beat area under Buxa Tiger Reserve (east). An injured Barman hid behind a bush to evade the elephant. Later, he was admitted to the block health centre in Kamakhyaguri.