Man trampled to death by wild elephants in Chhattisgarh

A 60-year-old former Zila Panchayat member was trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants in Chhattisgarh's Surajpur district, an official said on Friday. body of Shankar Singh, a resident of Pakhni vill in Pratappur forest range, was found by locals in jungle on Thursday, official said. Singh had left for neighbouring Parmeshwar vill on foot on July 6, but had failed to return home, he said. Despite extensive search, victim's family was unable to track him down, he said.

"Footprints of elephants were found around body and after examining remains, we have come to conclusion that he was attacked by pachyderms," he said.

Surajpur, a neighbouring district of Korba, is located around 350 km away from capital Raipur. kin of deceased, who was a former member of Surajpur Zila Panchayat, have been provided an instant relief of Rs 25,000, official said, adding that remaining compensation will be disbursed after completion of formalities. Forest personnel have been directed to keep a tab on herd's movement to prevent any more untoward incidents, he added. Several incidents of human-elephant conflict have been reported in past from thick forested rrn Chhattisgarh, comprising Surguja, Surajpur, Korba, Raigarh, Jashpur, Balrampur and Koriya districts.