Three jumbos electrocuted on way to Jharkhand

JHARGRAM: Three Dalma elephants from a herd of 22 were electrocuted early on Wednesday while heading from Lalgarh to Jharkhand through Belpahari in Jhargram after reportedly being chased by a hulla party.
Satpanki residents said the herd was walking through Malabati forest adjoining their village in Jhargram’s Binpur. It is suspected that one of the elephants raised its trunk that accidentally touched the overhead high-tension wire of 11,000 volts that runs through the forest.As it screamed in pain, two others from the herd tried to help it. All three elephants — one tusker and two females — were electrocuted. The rest walked towards Belpahari.
Sources said the forest department had launched a drive to chase out Dalma herds from West Midnapore and Jhargram. A hulla party was chasing them and showing the two herds the way till the river Kasai. Incidentally, the Supreme Court has banned the use of hulla parties.
Jhargram divisional forest officer (DFO) Basab Raj Heloichi said: “We suspect the trunk of one of the elephants touched a high-tension wire. Two more were electrocuted on it. We will take up with WBSEDCL the issue of raising the height of overhead wires.”
WBSEDCL regional manager (Midnapore) Kamal Maity said: “Our high-tension wires are installed in accordance with rules. We have sent a team and its report is awaited.”