Athagarh: In a tragic incident, an elderly man of Bali village under the Khuntuni range was trampled to death by a wild elephant in today morning.
The deceased, identified as Gopal Sahu, was attacked by the pachyderm while he has gone outside to attend nature’s call.
Following the death of the elderly villager, locals blocked the NH-55 by keeping the body on the highway and demanded compensation for family of the elephant attack victim. Later the road blockade was withdrawn by the locals after the Athagarh DFO reached the spot and gave an assurance to provide Rs 3 lakh assistance and a job to one of the bereaved family members.
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Notably, yesterday, locals had blocked the NH-55 for five hours after a youth was trampled to death by a pachyderm at Baula village in Gurudijhatia area in Cuttack district.
In a related development, a herd of five elephants strayed into paddy farm lands of villagers of Pandraguda village of Rayagada district and caused heavy damages yesterday.
Though the villagers lodged complaints before the Forest department and Tehsil office, no steps have been taken to address the issue.