Two forest officials suspended after death of three people in Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal (By Abhishek Mohanty): At least three people died due to elephant attack at Baghdharia village under Hindol forest range in Dhenkanal district of Odisha on Thursday.

Two forest officials — a forester and a forest guard — have been suspended by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) for alleged negligence in preventing the human-wildlife conflict.

The deceased have been identified as Jhulana Dehuri (55), her brother-in-law Karunakar Dehuri (60) and a village named Sashi Sahu.
The attack took place when Jhulana was plucking flowers near her home. Suddenly, an elephant appeared and attacked her. Hearing her screams, her brother-in-law Karunakar rushed out of the house but was also attacked by the wild animal. Both died on the spot. Another villager Sashi Sahu, who came face-to-face with the jumbo, was seriously injured in the attack.
He was rushed to the Angul district headquarters hospital by locals. However, doctors declared Sashi dead at the hospital.
Following the incident, villagers staged a road blockade with the dead body at Satamail Chhak demanding compensation for families of the deceased.
Odisha Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia assured  that the family members of the deceased will be given compensation.

He said action will be taken against the officers who have been negligent in their duties.