Two killed in jumbo attacks

Dhenkanal: Two persons were trampled to death by wild elephants in two separate incidents in Dhenakanal district today.

The deceased have been identified as Niranjan Mohanty of Damodarnali village under Gandia police limits and Achyuta Rout of Chaulia village in the district.

Mohanty who had gone out into the field to relieve himself, was attacked by a herd of elephants. He died on the spot.

Tension ran high in the area following the incident as infuriated locals staged demonstration demanding compensation for Mohanty's family.

Rout, too met the same fate when he had gone outdoors to attend nature's call. The elephants attacked him and trampled him to death.

Forest officials who rushed to the spot confirmed the movement of a herd of 53 jumbos in the area since the last few days. Efforts are on to chase away the pachyderms from human habitations, the officials informed.