Farmer trampled to death by wild elephant in Sherpur

A 50-year-old farmer was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Sreebardi upazila of Sherpur district on Monday, officials said.

The incident occurred around 7pm on Monday in the Hatibor Tilapara area of the upazila.

The deceased was identified as Abdul Hamid, son of Samed Ali of the area.

According to the forest department and local sources, a herd of elephants have been coming down from the hills for some time, in search of food in the croplands.

Abdul was killed on the spot when local farmers tried to chase away the elephants to protect their paddy fields.

“Abdul was attacked by a wild elephant when he, along with other farmers, tried to chase away the elephants,” said local UP member Nur Haque.

He was rushed to Sherpur Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Md Rabiul Islam, Balijuri Range officer of the Forest Department, said they are trying to resolve the human-elephant conflict in the border town. There is a compensation system from the government for the victims of attacks by elephants and other wild animals. “Deaths could not be compensated, but it is a temporary initiative and relief on the part of the government,” he said.

An awareness campaign is being conducted by the forest department in the hill town as well. For this, response teams have been formed in the areas.

According to forest officials and locals, three people have been killed in wild elephant attacks in Sherpur district in the last 15 days.