Rangamati, Nov 17 (V7N) – A wild elephant attack on Sunday evening left a 70-year-old woman dead and another elderly woman critically injured in Rangamati Sadar Upazila. The deceased, Jharna Chakma, was the wife of a local businessman in the Chairman Para of Jibtali Union, confirmed Hitler Dewan, Headman of Jibtali Mauza, at 7:30 p.m.

Another 80-year-old woman, Sujita Chakma, was seriously injured in the same incident. Authorities also reported that two auto-rickshaws were damaged by the elephant.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on the Assam Basti–Kaptai road. Dr. Shawkat Akbar Khan, resident physician at Rangamati General Hospital, confirmed that both women were brought to the hospital around 8:00 p.m. while critically injured. Despite medical intervention, Jharna Chakma succumbed to her injuries. Sujita Chakma was referred to Chattogram for advanced treatment due to the severity of her injuries.

Rangamati Forest Department Range Officer Omar Faruk Swadhin and Kaptai New Bazar CNG Drivers Association President Abu Bakkar stated that the incident occurred about one kilometer from Agarbagan on the road from Rangamati to Kaptai. A wild elephant attacked an auto-rickshaw carrying two women, seriously injuring them. The CNG driver escaped by running. Passersby and other CNG drivers rescued the injured women and transported them to Rangamati General Hospital.

Approximately ten minutes later, another CNG driver, Dulal, came under attack by the same elephant herd in the Kaptai Project area. He managed to escape on foot, but the elephants overturned his vehicle into a ditch. The Kaptai Fire Service and Civil Defence responded promptly, using ropes to retrieve the overturned auto-rickshaw.

Local authorities have urged drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution in the area due to the presence of wild elephants and to report any encounters immediately.

This incident highlights ongoing human-wildlife conflicts in the hilly regions of Rangamati, raising concerns for safety on rural roads and the need for preventive measures.

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