Elephant Attack In MP’s Sidhi Leaves Couple Dead, Sparks Protest Over Relocation Delays

A couple was killed in a wild elephant attack in Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district , in the early hours of Monday, exposing once again the rising human–wildlife conflict in forest-fringe regions and triggering allegations of administrative negligence by villagers.

The incident took place around 2 am in Chingi village under Gajra gram panchayat, about 90 km from the district headquarters. According to police and local residents, a herd of wild elephants entered the habitation area and surrounded a mud house where Bhaiyalal Yadav (60) and his wife Tiliya (58) were asleep.

Villagers said the elephants damaged the structure and trampled the couple to death before moving away. The sudden attack created panic in the locality, with residents rushing to the spot soon after hearing about the incident.

Following the tragedy, anger erupted in the village, with locals staging protests and initially refusing to allow the bodies to be taken for postmortem. Residents alleged that the deaths were the result of administrative failure in managing elephant movement and rehabilitation efforts in the region.

Villagers claimed that although a relocation programme had been initiated for families living in forest-affected areas, it was not fully implemented. They alleged that around 40 residents, including members of the deceased family, were still awaiting rehabilitation benefits and continued to live in vulnerable zones near elephant corridors.

They further stated that repeated representations had been submitted to local authorities and the sub-divisional magistrate’s office seeking complete evacuation and compensation-based relocation , but no concrete action was taken. According to them, this lack of response left the settlement exposed to recurring wildlife threats.

Officials later intervened to pacify the situation. Superintendent of Police Santosh Kori said police coordinated with revenue and forest department officials to manage tensions and engage with villagers. He confirmed that the bodies were sent for postmortem after discussions with the protesting residents .

Area Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shailesh Kumar Dwivedi also reached the village and assured villagers of follow-up action and review of pending issues.

The incident once again highlights the fragile balance between human settlements and wildlife habitats, underscoring urgent concerns over delayed rehabilitation, forest encroachment pressures, and administrative preparedness in handling such conflicts.