Sundargarh: In a tragic incident, an elderly woman was crushed to death under a portion of her house wall after a tusker demolished her house at Kainsara village under Sadar Forest Range in Sundargarh district, on the wee hours of Wednesday.
The deceased has been identified as Kiabati Bhaisal of the village.
Reportedly, two wild elephants are on a rampage in the area since last few days. The pachyderms had strayed into the village in search of food last night.
The tusker demolished four houses in the villages, besides damaging various properties. A portion of the house wall caved in on the elderly woman who was asleep, killing her on the spot. Luckily, other members of the family managed to escape.
On getting information, forest department officials along with elephant drive squad reached the spot and drove off the elephants. The body of the woman has been seized and a case in this regard has been registered.
The incident spread tension in the area as angry villagers blamed the forest officials of neglect in driving away the two tuskers.
PNN