Balangir: An elderly couple was trampled to death by a herd of elephants in Odisha’s Balangir district in the early hours of Monday.
According to sources, the elephants sneaked into Chabiripalli village under Khaprakhol forest range when the couple, identified as Nilambar Bariha and Jashobanti Bariha, were sleeping in their thatched house. They demolished the mud wall and went on a rampage to devour the paddy and rice stocked inside.
The sudden attack took the couple by surprise and the herd of wild animals crushed them to death before they could escape. The villagers later managed to shoo away the elephant herd, using fire and beating drums.
On being informed, a team of Forest officials soon reached the village and took stock of the situation.