Tusker tramples two to death

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI, : Two brothers, aged around mid-40s, were trampled to death by a wild elephant on Wednesday night along Asian Highway II near Kistopur under Bagdogra Forest range.

Sanjay Oraon and Ajay Oraon were returning home on a bike from their jobs when the tragedy occurred. After crossing the bridge near Sanyasisthan Tea Estate, their bike hit the tusker which was crossing the highway from the tea garden. The elephant trampled them, leaving one dead on spot while the other succumbed to his injuries at the North Bengal Medical College & Hospital.

Both were working as security guards at Uttarayon Township in Siliguri and were residents of Hatigicha under Naxalbari block.

Arun Ghosh, Shabhadhipati of Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, on Thursday visited the victim’s family in Hatigicha and assured them compensation and other necessary support. He also spoke on installing street lights along the highway in the elephant crossing zones from Bagdogra to Naxalbari.

DFO Devesh Pandey said the incident was unfortunate. If the deaths have happened due to trampling by the elephant, the family members will get the necessary compensation and we will also try to provide a job to one member of the family, he said.