Jharkhand’s battle with wild elephants reached a deadly peak as a rogue herd stormed two Hazaribagh villages overnight, crushing seven residents—including an entire family of four—underfoot. The late-night assaults in Churchu block’s Gondwar and Kajri have left communities paralyzed with dread.
As families slumbered, the elephants burst into homes without warning. Victims identified so far: Suraj Ram, Savita Devi, Dhaneshwar Ram, Suman Devi, and local woman Phulmani Kisku, with two children losing their lives. The scale of loss from one family underscores the vulnerability of rural life in elephant-prone zones.
This isn’t isolated. West Singhbhum reported 22 deaths last January, highlighted by a single night’s toll of seven in Bavdiya village. Bokaro’s Gomia and Peterbar lost five souls in early February raids. Historical precedents include Ranchi’s 2023 Itki incident, where four perished amid emergency curfews.
Forest loss from mining and development has disrupted elephant paths, driving herds into villages. Residents, furious and frightened, patrol nights away, pleading for forest department intervention. Wildlife specialists advocate corridor restoration, solar fencing, and community alerts to break this cycle of violence.