Sherpur Correspondent:
Two people were killed in separate wild elephant attacks on Tuesday night in Jhenaigati Upazila of Sherpur, a border district known for frequent human-elephant conflicts.
The incidents occurred in Gozni Darveshtala and Bakakura areas of Kangsha Union between 9:00 PM and 10:30 PM on May 20, within a span of just 90 minutes.
The deceased were identified as Azizur Rahman Akash (40), son of late Abdul Hakim from Gandhigaon Darveshtala, and Ephelis Marak (45), son of Sohan Marak from Boro Gozni.
According to the Forest Department and local sources, a herd of 30 to 40 wild elephants has been roaming in the Gozni area over the past several days, destroying boro paddy fields, jackfruit, and litchi orchards.
The first incident occurred around 9:00 PM when the elephants entered a litchi orchard in the Boro Gozni area. Locals attempted to drive the herd away using torches, flashlights, and loud noises. In the ensuing chaos, Azizur Akash slipped and fell. A wild elephant caught him with its trunk and crushed him to death.
Later, around 10:30 PM, Ephelis Marak and three other farmers were returning home from Bakakura to Boro Gozni when they were suddenly attacked by the same herd. While the others managed to escape, Ephelis was caught and killed in a similar manner.
Abdul Karim, Rangtia Range Officer of the Mymensingh Forest Department, confirmed the deaths and said that the families of the victims would be eligible for government compensation upon application.
Jhenaigati Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ashraful Alam Russel also assured that the upazila administration would extend financial assistance to the bereaved families.
