SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2001

Wild herd of jumbos kills four in Assam

GUWAHATI, India (AFP) - Four people, including two children, were trampled to death by a herd of wild Asiatic elephants in India's northeastern state of Assam, wildlife officials said on Friday.

Wildlife rangers said a herd of about 50 elephants late Thursday wreaked havoc in Borbali village in Karbi Anglong district, 280 kilometres from Assam's provincial capital Guwahati, destroying houses and crops.

"The rampaging herd broke down at least a dozen homes and trampled two ladies and two small children, tearing their limbs apart in front of the villagers", Ramani Kalita, a forest warden said over phone from Diphu.

The elephant herd also wounded an infant who has since been admitted to a local hospital.

The official said the herd had strayed into the village from the Karbi Anglong hills in search of food.

At least 100 people have been trampled to death by elephants in Assam during the past year.

Assam has around 5,500 of India's estimated 10,000-strong elephant population.

 

Copyright © 2000 Brunei Press Sdn Bhd. All rights reserved.