11 February 2003 The Independent
Our Correspondent, Bandarban
Feb 10 : Wild elephants killed at least 40 people during the last three years till January last in Bandarban district, a competent source told this correspondent recently.
The victims included women and children. Wild elephants have been causing havoc in the district for the last few years. People of several villages bore the brunt of the mad elephants in Lama, Sadar and Naikhangchhari upazilas of the district. Valuables worth Tk several lakh were damaged by the wild elephants during the period.
The members of the affected families elaborated the spree of killing and destruction indulged in by the wild elephants to the local journalists at the district headquarters recently.
The speakers gave a horrifying account of the frenzy unleashed by wild elephants.
Herds of wild elephants came to the villages in Lama, Sadar and Naikhangchhari upazilas of the district and caused havoc.
They smashed many a people in rural areas without rhyme or reason. At least 40 villagers, including women and children, perished by wild elephants during the period.
The deaths shocked the concerned families beyond repair. Besides, dwelling houses, crops, orchards and banana groves on 2,000 acres of land have been mauled and damaged by the wild elephants.
According to police and local sources, at least 28 people were killed at 18 villages under Fashiakhali and Aziznagar unions in Lama upazila, 12 people were killed in Kuhalong and Rajbila unions in Sadar upazila, Gumduin and Duchari unions in Naikhangchhari upazila of the district during the last three years till January last.
Local sources said here that the dead were identified as Khadiza Begum (35), Azhar Mia (4O), Makbul Hossain (50), Ashraf Ali (45), Ariful Haq (43), Dudu Mia (35), Tuku Mia (50), Fazlur Rahman (60), Moniruzzaman (60), Yasmin Akhter (34), Eyar Mohammed (50), Shamsul Alam (40), Asma Begum (38), Rassel (12), Abdul Khaleq (53), Waz Uddin (51), Abdul Kader (23), Amena Begum (35), Saiful Islam (12), Kala Miah (43), Entafizur Rahman (70), Paisha Marmani (43), Tandha Miah (34), Sanuara Begum (36), Danu Miah (45), Kalu Mia (45), Islam (43), Sakhina Begum (37), Alam (28) and Shah Alam (57).
Official sources said, about 100 hunters from tribal and non-tribal group are active in the deep forest areas in Lama, Naikhangchhari, Ruangchhari, Alikadam and Ruma upazilas of Bandarban district and Kaptai, Rajasthali and Bilaichhari upazilas of Rangamati district. They killed various wild animals and collected valuable skins and bones from the hunted animals.
The indiscriminate hunting of wild animals has told upon the wild life and affected the ecological balance, said some environmentalists.
A specialist on wild animals told this correspondent recently that vast forest resources had been plundered in Bandarban and Rangamati districts in recent times, causing widespread dislocation of wild animals, including wild elephants.
The members of the families of the victims urged the concerned authorities several times to take necessary measures, but their pleas went unheeded for reasons unknown.
The people of the district have urged the government to set up a centre for
wild animals to ensure security of life and property of the people.