Odishatv Bureau
Bolangir: Two persons were trampled to death by a wild elephant in separate incidents in Bolangir district, official sources said on Saturday.

One Makhunu Jharia (45) of Jharbandha village under Loisinga police station was trampled to death on his way to his farm land along with bullocks and agriculture implements on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya yesterday.

In another such incident, the same elephant crushed to death one Gopinath Behera (51) of nearby Rampur village while he was going to attend the nature`s call in the evening, divisional forest officer (DFO), Bolangir, RK Sahu said.

The pachyderm is believed to be from a 30-member herd roaming Borapahara forests in neighbouring Sonepur district.

At least three elephants, separated from the herd a few days ago, have been causing damage in the area, he said.

One of the three elephants was electrocuted near Bhainsa village under Patnagarh range after coming in contact with live electric wires which were lying low under the impact of strong gale that hit the area.

The other elephant was also roaming the area and causing damage to crops and property, he said.

The next of kin of the victims would be given an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh as per the government`s revised policy for the victims, Sahu said.

Meanwhile, protesting elephant menace, irate people had resorted to a road blockade on NH-201. After being assured that the elephants would be driven out of the area, they withdrew the agitation, sources said.

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