10 months ago
Pellet Shots Fired at Elephant Injure Nine Villagers in Jalpaiguri
A group of elephants came out of the forest and into a village.
People gathered to watch one elephant that got separated.
The elephant got scared by the crowd and charged at the forest workers trying to help it.
The workers shot pellets in the air to scare the elephant away, but accidentally hit nine villagers.
The villagers were taken to the hospital and are okay.
In a separate incident on the same night, a man was killed by an elephant while he was protecting his farm.
Nine people were injured by pellet shots fired by forest personnel in Jalpaiguri.
The shots were intended to drive away a wild elephant that had become agitated.
Villagers claimed they were protecting their fields, while foresters stated they acted in self-defense.
The injured villagers are in stable condition after receiving medical treatment.
Separately, a man was killed in an elephant attack on Thursday night while guarding his paddy field.
- Who
- Forest department personnel and nine villagers
- What
- Forest department personnel fired pellet shots to drive away a wild elephant, accidentally injuring nine villagers. Separately, a man was killed in an elephant attack.
- Where
- West Damdim, Malbazar, Jalpaiguri
- When
- Thursday night
- Why
- The forest personnel fired pellet shots in self-defense when an agitated elephant charged at them. The man was killed during an elephant herd's entry into agricultural fields.
Villagers
Forest Department
Reason for Elephant's Aggression
Villagers
The crowd gathered to see the elephant made it aggressive by not moving.
Forest Department
The elephant became agitated by the noise and commotion as forest workers attempted to guide it into the forest.
Actions Taken
Villagers
Locals claimed they were trying to protect their homes and agricultural fields.
Forest Department
Foresters fired pellet shots into the air in self-defense when the elephant charged.
Key facts
- Location
- West Damdim, Malbazar, Jalpaiguri
- Date of Incident (Pellet Shots)
- Thursday night
- Number of people injured
- 9
- Condition of injured
- Stable
- Elephant herd size
- 30-40
- Date of Incident (Elephant Attack)
- Thursday night
Quotes
a senior forester
a senior forester
“In the evening, the elephant was trying to return to the forest, but the crowd would not move. This made the elephant aggressive, and it charged at us. To protect ourselves, we fired pellet shots into the air. The injuries are unfortunate, and we are looking into the matter.”
telegraphindia.com