Wild elephant kills one in Bandarban

A 50-year-old worker was killed in a wild elephant attack early today in Lama upazila of Bandarban.

The deceased, Md Kalu, was a labourer at a betel leaf farm in Ishaq Member Para. He was from Cox's Bazar's Maheshkhali upazila.

Kalu was fatally injured when a herd of elephants raided a storage hut in Ishaq Member Para around 4:00am, said Md Shahadat Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Lama Police Station.

The elephants, driven by a food shortage in the hills, descended from the forest and broke into the hut in search of rice and paddy. Kalu, who was sleeping inside, suffered critical injuries during the attack, the OC said, quoting locals.

Although the villagers rushed him to the upazila health complex, he was declared dead by the on-duty doctor around 6:00am.

"The elephants encircle houses near doors and windows before breaking in to search for food," said Md Nasir Uddin, a member of Saroai Union Parishad.

"Despite lighting fires and staying awake at night, we are unable to deter their attacks. The elephants are still roaming the area," he added.

AKM Ata Elahi, range officer of the Lama Forest Division, confirmed the incident, attributing the frequent raids to a worsening food crisis in the hills.

He said investigations are ongoing to assess damages and ensure compensation as per regulations.

The body will be handed over to the family following necessary formalities, the OC said.

On January 6, a pregnant elephant died after being electrocuted by a fence in Kumar Para, Ward 4 of Fasiakhali.

Days later, a farmer named Faridul Alam was killed by the same herd.