As man-animal conflict worsens across states, a trip to ground zero: Dhenkanal in Odisha
More than a month after Daitari’s death, his family is yet to get over the shock of losing its sole bread earner. His wife, two daughters, Rosalin (17) and Lizarani (15), and son Ratikanta (20), stare at an uncertain future. “The man who looked after the family is now gone. It is now up to God,” says Daitari’s despondent wife, pointing to a sewing machine in one corner of the ramshackle house with which her husband used to supplement his meagre income of Rs 1, 600 as a pump operator. All that she has got by way of compensation so far is Rs 40,000.
Last year, Sabita Sahu of Sogara village, also in Dhenkanal, had her spinal cord damaged in multiple places and her hand severely injured in another early morning elephant attack. She was plucking flowers in her own backyard! After being initially treated in a government facility, she had to be shifted to a private hospital. She has already run up a bill of about Rs 7 lakh on her treatment, but received only Rs 5, 000 as compensation. She’s now trying to acquire a disability certificate that would enable her to avail a compensation of Rs 1 lakh earmarked for injuries of a permanent nature. The process of getting compensation is so cumbersome that most people give up midway.
This story is from the June 11, 2018 edition of Outlook.
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This story is from the June 11, 2018 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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