An elephant was killed after being hit by a train in the Naxalbari block of the Darjeeling district in the early hours of Wednesday.

The incident took place near the Bagdogra town at around 4 a.m., when the tusker was hit from behind by the Katihar-bound Intercity Express from Siliguri. The carcass was discovered by locals who informed the forest officials.

‘Not part of herd’

Range officer of the Bagdogra elephant squad Pemba Sherpa said, “A police complaint has been lodged against the train driver. We will also ask the Railways about the speed limit for train in the area.”

Mr. Sherpa added that an elephant herd has been moving around the area recently but, “It seems that the tusker was not a member of the herd.”