2 women killed, 2 injured in elephant attack in Rangamati

Two women died after being attacked by a herd of elephants in Kamilachhari on the Asambasti-Kaptai link road in Rangamati Sadar yesterday.

The deceased are Jharna Chakma, 60, of Ward 3 Chairman Para of Jibtali union of Rangamati Sadar and Sobita Chakma, 60, of the same area, said police.

Two others were injured in the incident and are undergoing treatment at Rangamati General Hospital.

Two separate incidents were reported on Sunday between 5:00pm and 6:00 pm. In the incidents, two CNG-run auto-rickshaws got overturned and a motorcycle was damaged.

The injured are -- Animesh Chakma, Trijoy Chakma.

Dhan Bikash Chakma, a UP member of Ward 2 of Jibtali union, said that a woman was killed in an elephant attack. Three people were also injured.

Another injured woman, Sobita, died of her injuries in the hospital.

Chittagong Hill Tracts South Forest Department Kaptai Range Officer Omar Faruq Swadhin said a herd of wild elephants attacked a CNG auto-rickshaw at around 5:20pm. Forest department officials rushed to the spot on information and found another CNG auto-rickshaw lying on the road in Kamilachari area around 6:00pm. Two women were injured there. One of them died on the way to Rangamati General Hospital. Another died under treatment in hospital.

The body of the deceased were kept at Rangamati General Hospital morgue.

The range officer said there were two separate herds of elephants at the spot. There were 6-7 elephants including cubs in the two herds. Later, by 7:00pm, forest officials evacuated passengers and pedestrians on that road with the help of army and fire service personnel.