Keonjhar: In a fresh instance of man-animal conflict, a 55-year-old man was trampled to death by an elephant at Kadamdihi under Sadar police limits in Keonjhar district Monday.
The deceased has been identified as Baburam Munda.
According to the sources, the incident occurred while Munda had gone to guard his paddy field. Meanwhile, he came face to face with the pachyderm that had strayed into the field. The jumbo marched towards a ‘mancha’ on a tree where Munda was standing to guard the paddy field.
The elephant started hitting the tree with its trunk making Munda fall down the tree. Later, the tusker lifted him using its trunk and battered him. Later, it trampled him, killing him on the spot. Villagers spotted the body and alerted the forest department officials who reached the spot and started investigation into the incident.
The incident has spread tension in the area as angry villagers demanded compensation and job for a kin of the deceased’s family.
The rising man-animal conflict has become a matter of concern.
It may be noted here that in a similar incident, an elderly man was trampled to death by an elephant at Palasahi village of Parajang block in Dhenkanal district November 16.
The deceased has been identified as Bauri Sahu, a farmer.
According to sources, the mishap took place when he had gone to his field. Due to fog, he could not see the elephant, which lifted him up with its truck and crushed him to death.
On being informed, Mahabirod Forest Range Officer Suresh Behera reached the spot and started investigation.
Similarly, an elderly man died in an elephant attack near Rubina, about 45 km from Keonjhar district November 7.
The deceased was identified as Harihara Nayak (60) of Kendughati village in Banspal block.
He was attacked by the elephant herd while returning to his village at around 4.30 pm near Rubina, bordering Bhuyan Juang Pirha range and Champua range, said a forest officer.
Forest official could not retrieve the body immediately with a dozen elephants continuing to stay put in the area. Three persons including two girl students were injured in an elephant attack at Pandua village in Dhenkanal district on November 5.
PNN