A 17-member elephant herd trampled an elderly woman to death in Sundargarh on Sunday wee hours and destroyed seven houses. Sadar Forest range personnel are now keeping a close watch on the pachyderms.
Sources said the elephant herd, now camping in neighbouring Chhatisgarh forest, had entered into lulkidih Bansbahal village under Sadar forest range on Sunday wee hours. While the tuskers were on a rampage and destroying houses, an elderly woman came in front of the elephant herd. She was crushed in no moment. The deceased elderly woman was identified as Sumnati Tanty(65).
Sadar forest range officials reached the spot and informed Talsara police station about the death of woman. Talsara police recovered the body and sent it for post mortem. later, the body was handed over to her family members. Sadar forest range gave Rs5,000 as an advance amount to deceased family members towards funeral expenses.
“We will give rest amount of Rs2.95 lakh towards compensation to her family after her family members complete necessary formalities,” said Sadar Forest Range officer DK Dighal.
He added that suitable compensation to the owner of the houses in the village will also be provided whose houses were destroyed.