Farmer killed in elephant attack in Ganjam district of Odisha

Bhanjanagar: A 48-year-old farmer was reportedly killed by a wild elephant while guarding his paddy field at Khetamundali village under Ghumsur North Forest Division in Ganjam district of Odisha on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.

The deceased has been identified as Pabitra Patra of Khetamundali, sources said.

According to villagers, a herd of 17 elephants from Ghumsur North Forest Division has been damaging paddy fields in the nearby villages for last several days. The farmers usually guard their paddy fields at night, sources said.

A wild elephant attacked Patra while he was guarding his paddy field yesterday night. He died on the spot, villagers said.

On being informed, Forest department officials reached the spot and sent the body for postmortem, sources added.

The villagers, meanwhile, urged the district administration to provide compensation to Patra’s family.

“Patra is survived by a 14-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. The Forest department and the district administration should provide adequate compensation to his family,” said a villager.