2 foresters suspended over jumbo deaths

Dhenkanal: The Forest department on Sunday suspended two officials, a day after a female elephant and her six-month-old calf died of suspected electrocution in Dhenkanal district. While the duo was suspended for alleged dereliction of duty, the police arrested a 51-year-old man for “laying live electric wires” in an agricultural field where the elephants died, a senior official said.

Further investigation is underway to establish the circumstances leading to the incident, he said. The bodies of an 11-year-old female elephant and her calf were found in an agricultural field in Godaribili village on Saturday, with electrocution suspected as the cause of their death. Forester Subhendu Bhuiyan of Anlabereni section and forest guard Mansmita Barala of Kadalipada beat were suspended for negligence in the discharge of their duties. Kumara Naik, a resident of Godaribili village, was arrested in connection with the deaths of elephants.

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