A 38-year-old housewife, Ruby Akter, died after stepping into an illegal live-wire trap meant for wild elephants in Lama Upazila, Bandarban. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning in the Dakshin Haidarnashi area of Phansiakhali Union.
Ruby Akter was the wife of local resident Abdur Shukkur. According to local sources, acute food shortages in the hills have driven herds of wild elephants into human settlements. To protect their crops and orchards from foraging elephants, some local growers have illegally encircled their properties with high-voltage electric wires. One such trap had been set up around a mango orchard owned by local resident Gias Uddin.
At around 5:00 AM on Tuesday, Ruby Akter accidentally came into contact with the live wire while walking past the orchard. She died on the spot. Upon receiving the news, the Lama Police recovered the body.
Confirming the incident, Lama Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Muhammad Shahjahan Kamal said, "A police team was dispatched to the scene following reports of a woman’s death from an electric elephant trap. We are investigating this illegal installation, and strict legal action will be taken against those responsible."
The tragic death has sparked deep grief and anger in the community. Locals are demanding immediate government intervention to mitigate the ongoing human-elephant conflict, alongside swift justice for those setting lethal, illegal traps in residential zones.
