Gondia: A 55-year-old farmer was killed in a tusker attack while attempting to drive the animal away near Dalar village under Sarangi Forest range in Dhenkanal district late Saturday night.
The deceased was identified as Sridhar Dehury, a resident of Dalar village.
According to sources, a lone tusker which had drifted away from its herd had strayed into farmland near the village and was destroying standing crops.
On noticing the elephant, three farmers, Sridhar Dehury, Mura li Dash and Bula Mallick tried to chase it away.
However, the animal suddenly charged at them, leaving Dehury critically injured. The other two farmers managed to escape.
On being informed, Forest Department personnel rushed to the spot, rescued the injured farmer and took him to the district headquarters hospital.
However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, villagers demanded immediate compensation for the bereaved family in accordance with government norms.
They urged the authorities to take concrete steps to prevent further loss of life and property caused by recurring elephant incursions.