Anwara Correspondent: Two people, including a woman, have died in an attack by wild elephants in Anwara. These accidents took place in the Guapanchak and Bairag areas of the upazila on Monday (September 23) night.
The deceased are Bairag Union (Ward No. 4), Guapanchak Village Shah Ahmed Bari Md. Dulal (50), and the house of Khoshal Talukdar of the same union (Ward No. 8). Akhtar’s wife, Rehena Akhtar (38).
According to local sources, some elephants fell in the Guapanchak area around 9 pm. Elephants get aggressive and chase people because they don’t have access to the road. At that time, an elephant snatched the farmer and threw him away. Later, the farmer died on the way to the hospital after being rescued by the locals.
Later, the elephants came out from there and went to Bairag Khoshal talukdar’s home area. Around 1 am, a woman was dragged and thrown, and she died on the spot.
After seeing this incident, his Vassar’s wife suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Chittagong Medical Hospital, but it is said that she did not regain consciousness until this report was written.
Meanwhile, the people of two upazilas in Anwara-Karnaphuli are in extreme fear due to repeated attacks by wild elephants. The rampage of wild elephants cannot be stopped by beating flutes and drums, bursting firecrackers, and lighting torches.
Chittagong’s Anwara and Karnaphuli upazilas are constantly plagued by elephants. Especially at night and early in the morning, the herds move into the locality and raid various villages for food. So far, wild elephant attacks have killed around 15 people and injured over a hundred.
Recently, Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam called an emergency meeting to ensure proper shelter for the people and elephants affected by wild elephant attacks in Anwara-Karnaphuli. Karnaphuli UNO Masuma Jannat said that four decisions were taken expressing deep condolences to the victims of the elephant attack.
The conclusions are: 1. A 20-member ERT (Elephant Response Team) under Divisional Forest Officer, Chittagong South, will work in Anwara and Karnaphuli to protect against wild elephant attacks. KEPZ will provide logistical support in this regard. 2. Financial assistance will be provided to the victims from District Administration, Chittagong, and Forest Department, Chittagong. 3. A working team consisting of experts will be formed to provide permanent protection to the locals from wild elephant attacks. 4. A quick workshop will be organized with the stakeholders to ensure the safety of the animals by keeping the elephant movement corridors reserved.
