36 killed by wild elephants in 17 years

MANAU, Jan 5: It has been a week since Khagendra Gautam, a local of Manau, has been obliged to take shelter at schools and in the house of his relatives due to the terror spread by rampaging elephants. He believes the school building could be safer than his mud-built house but still he has not been able to get a proper sleep because of the fear that his house might get attacked by burglars in his absence.

"I have heard that Bardiya National park is best known for conserving and protecting wild animals in the country but I don't understand why we have never been able to live without the fear of being attacked by elephants," said Gautam."How long will we stay by asking for shelter with others?" he wondered.

 Bimala Pariyar, 32, of Hattikhalla, Manau lost her life as she was crushed by an elephant on December 28. Despite her relentless efforts to run away from the elephant, she was caught and killed by it in the market. On the same day, Bimal Singh, a student and Ram Prasad Lamichhane, a principal of a local school were seriously injured in an elephant attack. Similarly, Mangra Tharu of Parsa  died last Friday during his treatment after being attacked by elephant.

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