Dhenkanal: In yet another case of man-animal conflict in the state, a wild tusker trampled a couple to death in Dudhakateni village under Dhenkanal Sadar Forest Range limits today.
The deceased have been identified as Dambaru Pradhan and his wife Sukanti Pradhan of Chaulia Ramei village under Gondia police limits.
Locals said, the couple had visited the Dambaru’s in-laws’ house to watch opera and was returning in the wee hours when the jumbo attack took place. Near a cashew garden en-route to village a tusker pounced on them to badly trample.
While, Sukanti succumbed to the injuries sustained in the pachyderm attack, her husband died while being treated at the Dhenkanal DHH, after being rushed their by some locals.
Post the mishap, angry villagers held forest department responsible for the attack and claimed elephant incursion has increased in the area considerably in past few months for its irresponsibility.
Meanwhile, Manwar Khan, Sadar Ranger has claimed that his department had knowledge regarding the presence of the tusker in the area and all precautionary measures were taken. As the road on which the attack took place falls on a canal bank and passes through a cashew plantation, nothing could be done to save the lives.
Ms Kalinga