Two wild elephants entered Bangladesh after breaching the Indian border gate at Tentulia. On Tuesday (February 20) morning, the Indian border entered the Tiranihat union of the upazila through Islambagh area and stayed in a maize field in South Kashimganj of Banglabandha union.
Meanwhile, when the news of elephants entering the village spread in the morning, people living in the area panicked. Hundreds of eager people gathered to watch a man attack an elephant.
Locals said that in the morning two wild elephants entered South Kashimganj through Daulatpara via Islambagh. On the way, two or three attacked the farm animals. A cow of a poor farmer named Samsul Haque of Daulatpara area died in an elephant attack.
Later, they entered several houses in Kashimganj area and damaged electric wires, motor wires, toilets, fences, onion and corn fields. Meanwhile, Nuruzzaman (22), son of Abul Hossain of Kashimganj area, was injured.
A team of fire service with the immediate help of locals rescued him and admitted him to Tentulia Hospital. As the condition of the patient is alarming, the doctor on duty sent him to Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment after first aid.
When this disaster became known, panic spread among the people living nearby. BGB, fire service and police came to the spot after receiving the information. However, no casualty was reported.
Babul Islam of Islambagh area said that in the morning in front of our house, they broke the barbed wire fence gate along the 3S pillar of 735 and entered Bangladesh and damaged our cropland.
Some including Munni Begum and Nahida said that in the morning when two wild elephants entered the house, I was terrified. The fence of the house, the electric wire, the motor wire were torn. It has caused some damage. And we are in panic. As of writing this report, two elephants are under security measures.
Upazila Forest Officer Nurul Huda said, our forest department officer rushed to the spot after receiving information about two wild elephants in Banglabandha Kashimganj. On arrival, the public is asked to stay away with hand mics to keep them safe. Higher authorities have been informed. Two elephants are in a corn field.
Banglabandha UP Chairman Kudrat E Khuda Milon said, ‘Two elephants crossed the Indian border and are staying in a corn field in South Kashimganj of our union. There was panic among the villagers but no casualties were reported.
In the afternoon, a flag meeting of Indian BSF-BGB and administration was held along the 730 main pillar in Fasidewa area across Sanyasipara border. Divisional Assistant Forest Conservation Nurunnahar, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fazle Rabbi along with BGB Gowalgach BOP Commander Shafiqul Islam were present.
After the meeting, Executive Officer of Tentulia Upazila Fazle Rabbi said that they claimed that the two elephants belong to the Indian Forest Department. A team of experts from the Indian Animal Husbandry Department is scheduled to come to the country and take away the two elephants. We will write the letter now. Necessary measures will be taken subject to the permission of the Home Ministry of both countries.
No one in the area has been instructed not to disturb the elephants. Everyone in the area has been moved to a safe place for the sake of safety.