Ranchi, Sep 25 (TIWN) The conflict between elephants and humans does not seem to end in Jharkhand. Since the last eight months, 55 people have lost their lives after they were trampled to death by elephants, while 10 tuskers were killed either in accidents or by poachers.

According to department officer Paramjit Tiwari, upon seeing the team, the poachers managed to escape by throwing away the tusk.  Similarly, on September 15, an elephant was found dead in the Dumardih forest under the Mandu block in Ramgarh district. By the time this news reached the department officials, the poachers fled with both the tusks of the elephant.  Although after three days the tusks were recovered from the forest, no action was taken against the poachers in this case.  In the first week of August, an elephant was found dead in the Fulhar forest of the Palamau Tiger Reserve area. On July 31, the body of a tusker was found in the Rechi forest under the Balumath police station area in Latehar district. Several people fled with the tusks of the deceased elephant.  Earlier on July 17, an elephant was found dead in Bongtel forest under Rania block in Khunti district. It is suspected that the animal died after consuming some poisonous substance.  In the same month, another elephant was found dead in Kevadbeda forest of Ranchi.  The Forest Department is probing all these incidents, but there is no major headway so far.  In late May, three elephants died after being hit by a goods train between Banspani-Juruli railway station. Shortly after the accident, nearly half a dozen elephants had gathered on the railway track for over 10 hours.