Nuapada: A 62-year-old man was trampled to death by a herd of elephants at Bhainsamundi village here in the wee hours of Monday.
The deceased was identified as Lati Pandey. The elephants from Nuapada-based Sunabeda Sanctuary and Chhattisgarh stray into villages in search of food.
The herd of four elephants and three calves remains in forests during the day and strays into villages in the night. The movement of elephants in the region has spread fear among the locals.
According to sources, the herd was seen wandering near Kendubahara gram panchayat, on the borders of Chhattisgarh early Monday morning. Later, the animals entered Bhainsamundi village after crossing river Sarabang.
Unaware, the elderly man went to relieve himself and was returning home. Meanwhile, he came face-to-face with the herd that was crossing the village. The animals attacked him and trampled him to death. The elephants moved towards Haladi forest as locals gathered at the spot.
Forest officials reached the village and took stock of the situation. Nuapada police, meanwhile, sent the body for post-mortem. Locals demanded compensation for the bereaved family.
A sum of Rs 10,000 was given to the family from the District Red Cross Fund, while Rs 2,000 was provided under the Harishchandra Yojana.
Officials also provided 25 kg of rice to the victim’s family. Further compensation of Rs 3 lakh will be given to the family after a probe, divisional forest officer Gadadhar Patra said.
The forest officials then tried to trace the elephants, but in vain as the herd had disappeared into a nearby forest. The officials, however, assured the villagers that they would drive away the herd from the forest. PNN
