Saraikela has gained a highlight for two reasons. First, while voter turnout of 64.86% was recorded in the 43 Assembly constituencies in Jharkhand, Saraikela registered 72.19 percent. 

Two, while electorates were exercising their right to franchise, two adult male elephants locked horns in forest area of Hodagoda village located under Nimdih block in Saraikela district on Wednesday morning. 

Experts say, an adult male elephant usually spends a small part of his time in the herd for the purpose of mating. 

As such both adult male elephants had got separated from the family group where they were eying one female elephant. 

Both exchanged in skirmish which continued for over an hour. Responding to their fight for sex and dominance, the forest personnel had to explode a bomb. Forest staff Chandil informed that two herds of elephants had come from different areas. 

Most likely, these elephants who had come from Dalma forest area of East Singhbhum district near Jamshedpur, were engaged in gaining dominance over territory and a common female elephant, said another forest staff. 

Among humans, the electoral fight was going on in Saraikela where JMM’s patriarch Shibu Soren’s trusted associates, Champai Soren, who joined the BJP a few months back citing “humiliation” at his removal as chief minister, was locked in a fierce battle of ballots. 

Champai Soren was opposed by former BJP ST Morcha state treasurer Ganesh Mahali Seraikela where 72.19 % of votes were cast. The victory or defeat of Champai Soren and Ganesh Mahli will come to light on November 23, 2024.