A tragic incident occurred in Bandarban today as a rubber plantation worker lost his life in an elephant attack. The victim, identified as Abdul Haque, aged 40, resided in Purnobashon Para in Baishari union of Naikhongchhari upazila, according to local authorities.
The unfortunate event took place during the morning hours while Abdul was engaged in the collection of rubber latex at the Paiyajhiri rubber garden in Sonaychhari union. Eyewitness Hossu Mia, a resident of the area, recounted the sudden assault by a wild elephant that resulted in Abdul’s immediate demise.
Upon notification, the deceased’s son and brother, accompanied by a team from the Sonaychhari police outpost, retrieved the body. Officer-in-Charge Masrurul Haque of Naikhongchhari Police Station confirmed the incident and mentioned ongoing legal procedures being conducted by the police.
Tanvir Chowdhury, the range officer of the Lama divisional Forest Department, verified the occurrence and revealed that Abdul and three other workers were attacked while gathering raw rubber early in the day. The elephant fatally injured Abdul Haque, while the remaining workers managed to escape unharmed.
Md Mustafizur Rahman, the Divisional Forest Officer of Lama, highlighted the encroachment of human settlements into forest areas as a leading cause for elephant incursions in search of sustenance. Rahman also pointed out that as per Forest Department regulations and Wildlife Act provisions, in the event of a fatal elephant attack, the victim’s family is entitled to receive compensation up to Tk 3 lakh.