“I ran to the roar of the elephant and saw a bloody body lying in the paddy field.”

A+ A A-

Farmer Chhaber Ahmed (67) cultivated boro paddy on a piece of land at the foot of the hill. The area is an elephant sanctuary. Paddy has ripened on it. Fearing that the herd of elephants might attack due to the smell of ripe rice, Chhaber Ahmed lit a fire next to the rice field and kept watch all night. At dawn a wild elephant suddenly came down and Saber tried to drive it away from the hill but failed. The maddened elephant thrashed him. Farmer Chhaber died on the spot.

This incident took place in East Ghazalia Satgharia neighborhood of Islamabad Union of Eidgaon Upazila of Cox’s Bazar early on Wednesday morning. Saber Ahmed is the only earner in the family. One of his sons is said to be mentally challenged.

A mosque is located next to Chaber Ahmed’s land. The imam of that mosque, Mohammad Abdullah, woke up before the Fajr Azan. At that time, he heard the loud roar of the elephant and ran to see the frozen bloody body of Chhaber lying next to the elephant. Mohammad Abdullah said, the scene was very shocking. Chaber Ahmad was the sole breadwinner of the family. The family lived on his income. The family is now distraught over his death.

Local residents said that the production of elephants has increased in the area recently. This is because many farmers like Chhaber guard the ripe paddy by burning fire at night. Yesterday Tuesday night, farmer Jamal Uddin was guarding his field a little away from Chaber’s farm. He said, the elephant hit Chabar Ahmad with its trunk. He was seriously injured. In particular, he suffered severe injuries to his legs, hands and face. He died on the spot.

Chittagong police arrest notorious gang leader David Emon in Jessore operation

Read More

Forest department officials say that the movement of wild elephants has increased in the area in recent times. Especially in hilly areas. Elephants are entering the locality in search of food. As a result, the conflict between elephants and humans is increasing. However, the forest department said that the family of farmer Chhaber, who was killed by an elephant, will get compensation.

Shah Alam, Rajghat beat officer of Phulchari range of Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division, said that Ahmad Boro of Chabar has cultivated paddy on the side of the hill. He went there late at night to guard the paddy. Chaber Ahmad tried to prevent the wild elephants from entering the paddy field at dawn. He was killed on the spot by an elephant attack. His family will be provided assistance by the forest department.