A 22-year-old youth named Sipun Mahanta was trampled to death by a wild elephant in the Bhuiyapur area under the Jyotipur beat in the Champua forest range of Keonjhar.
Sipun, son of Bhagaban Mahanta of Khireitangiri, had gone to catch a glimpse of the elephant, which was foraging in a nearby paddy field.
According to reports, Sipun ventured too close to the animal in an attempt to get a better view. The elephant, startled or provoked, suddenly turned and attacked, trampling him and crushing him in the mud. The young man succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
Witnesses stated that the elephant remained near Sipun’s body for some time, preventing immediate rescue efforts. After persistent efforts by fellow villagers and forest department officials, the elephant was driven away, allowing authorities to recover the body and transport it to Champua Sub-Divisional Hospital.
The incident has ignited widespread anger and fear among locals, who have expressed frustration over recurring human-elephant conflicts in the region. The community is demanding immediate action from the forest department to address the growing threat posed by rogue elephants and ensure the safety of residents in this rural area.
