Tragic Encounter: Labourer Killed by Wild Elephant in Chhattisgarh

A 23-year-old labourer, Shiv Prasad Rathiya, was killed by a wild elephant in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district. The incident happened near Sisiringa village. Despite efforts by forest personnel, Rathiya succumbed to his injuries. This is part of a rising trend of human-elephant conflicts in the state, which have claimed over 300 lives in the past five years.

A tragic accident unfolded in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district on Wednesday afternoon when a 23-year-old labourer, Shiv Prasad Rathiya, was trampled to death by a wild elephant, according to forest officials.

Rathiya was returning from work near Sisiringa village when the elephant attacked him. Dharamjaigarh Divisional Forest Officer Abhishek Jogawat reported that forest personnel quickly arrived at the scene and rushed Rathiya to Dharamjaigarh civil hospital, but he was declared dead by the doctors.

Immediate relief of Rs 25,000 was provided to Rathiya's family. The incident underscores the growing issue of human-elephant conflicts in Chhattisgarh, particularly in districts such as Surguja, Raigarh, and Korba, which have witnessed over 300 fatal attacks in the last five years, as per forest department records.

(With inputs from agencies.)