Dhenkanal: A tusker trampled a couple to death near Dudukateni canal road under Sadar forest range in Dhenkanal district in the early hours of Tuesday.
The couple was identified as Dambaru Pradhan and Sukanti of Ramei village near Gondia in Dhenkanal district.
Sources said, the couple was returning home on a bike from Dudukateni, the village of Sukanti’s parents, after taking part in Dola festival.
When they were crossing the Dudukateni canal road, a tusker attacked them and crushed the couple under its feet.
The villagers rushed them to Dhenkanal district hospital but the doctors declared them received dead.
The incident sparked tension in the village and the local residents demanded compensation for the deceased’s family.
They urged the Forest Department to take steps to stop elephants from straying into human habitations.
PNN