Bonai: Wild elephants killed a minor boy at Amarud village under Banki forest range near K. Balang in Sundergarh district Wednesday night.
The deceased was identified as Debendra Munda (10).
According to reports, the mishap occurred when Debendra was sleeping with his family at his house.
A herd of seven elephants, which strayed into the village last night, damaged their house. Hearing the commotion, the family members woke up and found the pachyderms close to their house. All of them except Debendra managed to escape. He was trampled to death by the elephants.
Villagers said the herd had been damaging crops for the last four days, but last night the wild animals ventured into the human habitation.
On being informed, the forest ranger visited the spot and assured compensation to the family of the deceased as per the government provisions.
Similarly, panic gripped villagers in Mukhiguda area of Kalahandi district after a herd of elephants destroyed several houses in the village and ate crops.
The locals alleged that the herd would roam into human habitations by evening and they find it difficult to chase them away.
According to reports, the forest department will soon assess the damage of crops and a report will be submitted to higher-ups for compensation.