BRIEFS 18-12-2009

One trampled to death

Alipurduar, Dec. 17: One person was trampled to death and another was injured by an elephant in Dakshin Satali village, near Kalchini, this morning.

A makna (male elephant without tusks) had entered the village around 3am today. The villagers tried to steer the animal towards Mendabari forest. Suddenly, when the elephant turned to chase a barking dog, Simiron Narjinary, 26, came in its way and was trampled to death. The elephant also attacked Herson Karji. The 27-year-old fell to the ground and injured his right leg and left hand. He has been admitted to the Alipurduar hospital.

Om Prakash, the divisional forest officer wildlife-III division, said crackers and search lights would be distributed among the villagers and they would be trained to drive away elephants.

Bhutan king

Delhi: The king of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, will be in India from December 21– 26. This is the first visit of the king of Bhutan to a foreign country after his formal coronation in November 2008. He had earlier visited India in February 2007. “The visit of the king of Bhutan would provide an opportunity to further consolidate the tradition of high-level exchange of views between the two countries,” said an MEA spokesperson on Thursday. While in India, the king of Bhutan will meet the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the UPA chairperson and the finance minister, among others.

NBU course

Siliguri: The Centre for Women’s Studies of North Bengal University began a seven-day certificate course on Mother and Child Health in Rural North Bengal at the humanities department of the varsity from Thursday. Around 60 people, most of them working with health organisations, are attending it.

Energy meet

Siliguri: A day-long training programme on energy saving techniques was organised by the Petroleum Conservation Research Association along with the North Bengal Industries’ Association here on Thursday. Entrepreneurs, businessmen and technical people were present at the event.