Digapahandi: An 11-year-old boy was killed today afternoon in a crocodile attack while taking a bath, after being dragged by the reptile into Ghodahada river under Digapahandi block in Ganjam.
The deceased minor was identified as Subhransu Kumar Gouda from Tikarpada village and the son of Khambarigaon panchayat sevak in the district. Some locals rescued the boy following a frantic search, but to see him dead. “We tried a lot but could not save the child,” the villagers said.
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According to a source, the boy had gone to Ghodahada river at around 4.00 pm after returning from his school. He was a student of Class V. As the boy did not return home for about an hour, his family members went to the river and found his chappal and garments at the riverbank.
Immediately, some local fishermen on boats ambushed the crocodile and threw fishnets to trap it, as a result of which the reptile left the spot, an eyewitness expressed.
On the other hand, Tikarpada villagers blamed the Forest department for the fatal incident. They demanded adequate compensation to the next of kin of the deceased.