3 Forest Dept Officials Suspended For Electrocution Death Of 3 Elephants In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Forest Department has suspended three field officials in connection with the electrocution death of three elephant, including a calf, in Odisha’s Samablpur district.

It has also recommended the government for action against two senior officials of the department, sources said on Tuesday.

The department intensified probe into the incident after Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expressed concern over the death of the elephants in the Naktideul range under Rairakhol forest division during the early hours of Monday after coming into contact with an electric trap laid by poachers to catch wild boars.

Meanwhile, three of the four accused involved in the incident have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab the fourth accused with the help of police, sources added.

On Monday, PCCF (Wildlife) Susanta Nanda attributed it to negligence and lack of vigilance by forest staff and warned of strict actions against those responsible. Besides, a team, including the Joint Task Force and Deputy Conservator of Forest, Regional Chief Conservator of Forest (RCCF) and Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) were directed to probe the matter.