A person was killed in an elephant attack at Bhalupali village under the Loisingha Forest Range in Balangir district on Monday morning.
The deceased was identified as Gopal Posh (40), who had gone to his paddy field when he was attacked by a jumbo.
For the last three days, a herd of 35 elephants have strayed into the area and are destroying crops at night.
The death of villager sparked tension in the village and people manhandled the frontline forest staffs, though they tried their best to drive away the herd.
“The death of the villager in the elephant attack is unfortunate..We have already released 10 per cent of the compensation to deceased’s family and the rest amount would be given after the necessary official process said Balangir DFO Nitish Kumar.
“We have already started the process to install high-mast lights in the affeceted area and I appeal people to cooperate with frontline staffs in handling the situation,” Kumar said.
