Dhenkanal: Herds of wild elephants have reportedly been creating havoc in Dhenkanal district for the past few days.
An old man was trampled to death in broad daylight at Ostapala village under Odapada block of Dhenkanal Sadar Range on Saturday. A tusker attacked Benu Naik (55), a resident of Ostapala village, while he was working in the Baghua cashew field with his nephew Biranchi Naik. Benu died on the spot.
Demanding compensation, his family members and village residents blocked the Dinabandhupur-Ostapala road. On being informed, Bhapur phandi officer P.K. Padhiari, ranger Manohar Khan, Jugala Mohanty and Sarat Malla reached the spot and promised to give Rs 4 lakh in compensation to his next of kin.
The elephants have been straying into villages every night and destroying houses and other property.
