Three persons were killed in elephant attacks in Mahasamund, Jashpur and Balod districts of Chhattisgarh, taking to nine the number killed by elephants this month, authorities said on Friday.
A 48-year-old employee of the Health Department was trampled by an elephant when he tried to take selfie with it in a forest near Kona village in Mahasamund district on Thursday evening, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Anup Kumar said.
Ajay Tiwari, a peon at a sub-health centre in Khatti village, was returning home from work when the incident took place.
In Jashpur district, Virendra Ekka (35) was attacked by an elephant on a forested route between Khari Bahar and Junwain villages while travelling on a bicycle on Thursday evening.
Officials fear the animal entered Jashpur from neighbouring Odisha.
Meanwhile, a 48-year-old man was killed by an elephant near Adjaal village in Balod district on Wednesday evening.
Santosh Bhuarya had gone to see a herd of elephants near the village along with some friends. When the herd charged at them, the others escaped. An elephant caught hold of him with its trunk and killed him.
The kin of the three deceased were provided Rs 25,000 each and the rest of compensation will be disbursed on completion of formalities.
