# India

Elephant brutally dismembered in Chhattisgarh forest, villagers apprehended

Sub Divisional Officer Pratappur Ashutosh Bhagat stated that the arrested suspects are being interrogated. The involvement of other villagers is also being investigated. Everyone involved in the crime will be brought to justice. Action will be taken against all under the Wildlife Protection Act, added Bhagat

Statesman News Service | Raipur | January 30, 2024 12:00 am

Elephant brutally dismembered in Chhattisgarh forest, villagers apprehended

A horrific act of savagery has come to light in Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh, where the remnants of a female elephant’s body were found scattered near Ramkola Elephant Rescue Center. The elephant’s majestic form, dismembered into pieces and concealed in 12 pits, paints a grim picture of cruelty and raises serious concerns about wildlife safety in the region.

Acting on intelligence from a concerned villager, authorities reached Dhuriya forest, where the elephant met its gruesome fate. Its body, mutilated beyond recognition, lay beneath the earth; its tusks, legs, and other appendages separated and buried in pits.

The post-mortem examination by Dr Mahendra Pandey along with Dr Ajit Pandey and Dr Shambhu Patel from the Elephant Rescue Center revealed the elephant succumbed to electric shock approximately a month ago.

The evidence of electrocution was found on its legs and tusks. The tragic tale doesn’t end there. The female elephant, subjected to barbaric acts with axes and scythes, had its limbs, tusks and vital organs severed into 12 pieces before being buried.

Forest officials have apprehended Narendra Singh Gond, 37, Janku Ram, 52, Ramchandra Agariya, 58, and Madhav Agariya, 27 from Dhuriya, while two others remain at large, prompting an extensive search operation.

Shrinivas Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of Chhattisgarh, described the incident as tragic to The Statesman.

“To prevent the recurrence of such incidents, a high-level committee of senior officials from the Forest Department, under the guidance of the Forest Minister, has been formed,” he said.

Sub Divisional Officer Pratappur Ashutosh Bhagat stated that the arrested suspects are being interrogated. The involvement of other villagers is also being investigated. Everyone involved in the crime will be brought to justice. Action will be taken against all under the Wildlife Protection Act, added Bhagat.