The deceased has been identified as Ramesh Sahoo, a resident of Rajing village under Purunamanigree panchayat of Angul district’s Athamallik block.
According to information, Ramesh and three others were guarding their crops last night. At this time, a pachyderm came and started eating crops. Ramesh and others tried to drive away the jumbo into the jungle. The elephant didn’t retreat and, instead, attacked them with its trunk. As Ramesh came on its way, the jumbo trampled him to death.
The two persons who escaped the elephant attack, brought the Ramesh’ body to the village.
Tension ran high in the village this morning as locals kept the body of Ramesh at Manitree School Chhak and held a protest meeting. Vehicular movement on the Athamallik-Kiakatta road was disrupted for a few hours.
Police have reached the spot and are trying to pacify the angry villagers.