[Dhaka Tribune] A farmer was trampled to death by a wild elephant in the Lohagara upazila, Chittagong, around 8:30pm on Saturday.The dear departed was identified as Nurul Islam, 38, son of Abdus Sobhan, confirmed Inspector Rashedul Islam of the Lohagara cop shoppe.
Abu Naser Md Yasin Newaz, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Wildlife Management & Nature Conservation Division Chittagong said: "A herd of elephants stormed a paddy field in the area on Saturday night. An elephant trampled the farmer to death when locals and farmers tried to drive them away.
"During the dry season, elephants come to the locality in search of food and water. The incidents of elephant attacks particularly rise during the paddy harvesting season. Wild elephants behave violently if disturbed.
"People should not make any sudden movements in front of them. Any sort of such action may result in aggressive behavior from the elephants. The elephants will move away after damaging some crops. We will give proper compensation to the affected people for any damage done to the crop fields or any property. So, there is nothing to panic here," added the DFO.
Five people were reported dead from August to September this year in Boalkhali and Anwara upazilas.