Traffic disrupted for 3 hrs after tusker attacks car
RUDRAPUR : A group of teachers Monday came under attack by an elephant on the national highway (NH) in Ramnagar’s Dhangarhi-Mohan area near the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) while they were on the way to their school in a car.
None of them were injured as they ran to safety leaving behind the vehicle, which the animal hit repeatedly, overturning it and damaging other vehicles stuck in the chaos, in what was the second incident of it kind since October in the area.
The group, all residents of Bharatpuri, were on the way to the school located in Tolio, in Almora’s Sult block. A forest official said a tusker suddenly came in front of their car and marched towards them, forcing the people inside to alight and run away to safety.
Several vehicles stuck on the highway also came under the attack with officials later saying the elephant appeared to be in search of food. CTR officials were called in to the spot and they fired shots in the air to drive the elephant towards the forest area.
“The highway remained blocked for about three hours. We have deployed forest staff there and safety measures have been increased,” Rahul Singh, director of the reserve, said.
Singh advised people to remain careful and not stop on the highway as herds of elephants roam in nearby areas.
On October 29, an elephant had attacked a vehicle carrying tourists, although no one was injured as the occupants had ranawayintime.
Vinod Papne, a trader and a social activist, said the elephant that attacked the teachers on Monday has become popular in the area as “lootera hathi”. “The tusker attacks vehicles in search of edible items. He gets something to eat and then leaves after causing a ruckus,” Papne said.