Locals block NH at Athagarh; protest elephant attack

Athagarh: Road traffic on the NH-55 at Kapursingh under Gurudijhatia police limits was disrupted as locals staged a road blockade protesting the frequent elephant attack at Brahmanabasta village under Athagarh sub-division today.

Hundreds of vehicles, including bus and trucks were stranded on both sides of the road.

Notably, one Prashant Khuntia was attacked by an elephant while he was returning to his home last night. He was rushed to the Athagarh hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Similarly, another youth of Sasang village was critically injured when an elephant attacked him on his way to home. He is undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.

Though forest officials went to the spot to pacify the protesters, the angry villagers gheraoed them alleging that the forest department has made several assurances to take steps in this regard, but in vein.