Daltonganj: Two makna elephants trampled a 45-year-old woman to death at Hemna forest under Balumath range in Latehar district on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Dulari Devi.Sources said she went out of her house early on Thursday to harvest lentils in her field, close to the forest, when the two elephants suddenly appeared and trampled her to death.Range officer in-charge of Balumath, N K Mahto, said the bereaved family received immediate ex gratia of Rs 40,000. The remaining amount of Rs 3.60 lakh will be paid after the submission of papers, such as the post-mortem report, death certificate, Aadhar card and other required documents, by the family.The post-mortem examination was conducted at Sadar Hospital on Thursday evening.“We always urge people not to enter jungles before sunrise and after sunset, and never go alone. But people ignore our advice only to pay a heavy price,” said Mahto.Many villagers also venture into jungles to collect mahua flowers and fruits, sources said. “If elephants are in and around those areas, they may become a danger to life,” added Mahato.
