Mayurbhanj: Man-animal conflict intensified in the Karanjia forest in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district recently with villagers attacking and injuring a herd of elephants with fireballs.
According to reports, 22 elephants currently inhabit the different areas of Shukrili block under Karanjia range and they have so far destroyed 29 houses in the area. Seven houses were demolished seven houses rendering people homeless. Enraged over the invasion of the elephants local villagers attacked the elephants with fireballs.
In a rare incident of cruelty towards animals, one villager attacked a young elephant was attacked with fireballs injuring the animal severely. The injured elephant with a fireball still burning on its back ran for its life while people stood mute spectators.
The attack on the elephants was in a bid to drive the elephant herd away from their residential area, but in the process, a young elephant sustained grievous burn injuries.
Video clips of the brutal act are now viral on social media.
Meanwhile, when asked, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Karanjia range said that he has heard about such an incident he is not sure if it took place under his jurisdiction. “We have launched an investigation and if we find that the incident has taken place in Karanjia range we will take stern actions against the perpetrators of such violence against animals. We will certainly arrest the culprit,” he assured.
