Rourkela: Forest officials on Thursday detained two persons, including the owner of an agricultural field, in connection with the suspected electrocution death of a tusker at Dumerta village under Bondamunda panchayat in Bisra block of Sundargarh district.The elephant, estimated to be 12-15 years old and with a pair of tusks, was found dead in an agricultural field on Wednesday morning in the Panposh forest range under Rourkela forest division. The carcass was found entangled in solar fencing wires, raising suspicion that the animal may have come in contact with an electric current.After receiving information about the incident, officials of the Panposh forest range, along with senior forest officers, rushed to the spot. Divisional forest officer (DFO), Rourkela Forest Division, Ravikant Meena also visited the site.Veterinary doctors conducted the postmortem and the carcass was later buried as per protocol. Forest officials examined the site and collected evidence to ascertain whether electrocution caused the elephant’s death.During the probe, officials searched houses near the field and allegedly recovered solar fencing materials and electric charging equipment from a house close to the field owner’s residence. Based on preliminary findings, two persons were detained and are being questioned about their possible involvement.The forest department has also sought a report from electricity department officials regarding the suspected electrocution.The incident triggered tension in the area, with some villagers alleging that forest authorities have failed to effectively address recurring elephant incursions and crop damage in the region.“We suspect the tusker died due to electrocution. Two persons, including the owner of the agricultural field, have been detained and are being interrogated. We are also awaiting the postmortem report, which will establish the exact cause of death,” said Suchismita Das, range officer, Panposh forest range.