Elephant Attack – Six Killed as Herd Storms Jharkhand Village

Elephant Attack – Six people lost their lives in a tragic elephant attack in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district early Friday morning, raising fresh concerns over growing human-wildlife conflict in the region. The incident took place in Gondwar village under Churchu block when a herd of wild elephants entered a residential area and trampled sleeping residents.

Herd Breaks Into Homes Before Dawn

According to villagers, a group of five elephants approached the settlement before sunrise. The animals reportedly broke through the entrance gate of a house where several family members were asleep. In the chaos that followed, the herd attacked those inside, leaving the small village in shock.

Those killed in the attack ranged in age from a three-month-old infant to a man in his early fifties. The victims have been identified as Suman Kumari, 26; Dhaneshwar Ram, 52; Suraj Ram, 50; Savita Devi, 25; Anurag Ram, aged one; and Sanjana Kumari, aged three months. Four of the deceased — Suraj Ram, Savita Devi, and their two children — belonged to the same family.

Residents said the elephants targeted the house after detecting stored rice inside. All the victims were asleep at the time and had little opportunity to escape.

Villagers Demand Immediate Action

Local residents say the herd has been roaming the area for nearly a month, creating fear among villagers. Many claim they have been living under constant threat as elephants move through nearby fields and habitations at night.

Following Friday’s tragedy, villagers demanded prompt compensation for the affected families and a long-term solution to prevent similar incidents. Several residents expressed frustration, stating that warnings alone have not been enough to ensure safety.

The Forest Department had earlier issued alerts advising people to remain cautious due to elephant movement in the area. However, locals argue that stronger preventive measures are urgently required.

Forest Officials Seek Permission to Tranquillise Herd

Confirming the incident, Vikas Kumar Ujjwal, Divisional Forest Officer of the Eastern Forest Division, said the herd has displayed unusually aggressive behavior and has been moving rapidly across villages, making monitoring difficult.

He stated that a dedicated team has now been deployed to track the elephants round the clock. Experts from Bankura have also been called in to assist in guiding the animals away from residential zones.

Given the seriousness of the situation, the department has sought permission from higher authorities to tranquillise the herd if necessary. Officials believe this step may help reduce the immediate threat posed by the animals.

The DFO appealed to villagers to remain indoors if elephant movement is reported. He advised people to stay inside concrete houses and, in the absence of such structures, to take shelter in nearby school buildings or other solid constructions.

Survivor Recounts Narrow Escape

Rohit Ram, who survived the attack, described the terrifying moments when the elephants entered his home. He said the animals first smashed the main gate before advancing toward the living area.

“When my father and I stepped outside, we saw an elephant standing right in front of us,” he recalled. “I told my father to go back inside. The elephant tried to grab me with its trunk. I picked up a frying pan and struck it, which made it step back. I then jumped out through a window and ran, shouting to alert others.”

His account highlights the suddenness of the attack and the limited time villagers had to respond.

Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict in Region

This is not the first such tragedy in the region. Parts of Hazaribagh and the neighboring Gomia block have witnessed repeated elephant movement in recent months. Just days earlier, five people were reportedly killed in a separate elephant attack in Gomia.

Forest officials say habitat pressures and seasonal movement patterns often bring elephants closer to human settlements. However, residents insist that a permanent mitigation strategy is needed to prevent further loss of life.

As authorities step up surveillance and consider tranquillisation, the latest incident underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to manage wildlife corridors while safeguarding rural communities.