Farmer killed in tusker attack, third death in 3 days

Rourkela: A 60-year-old farmer was trampled to death by a tusker under Panposh forest range on Sunday. This is the third death in elephant attacks in as many days under Rourkela forest division. The deceased was identified as Nilambar Kalo (60), a resident of Prem Nagar under Bondamunda police station limits. Kalo, a farmer, went to his farmland early on Sunday morning with his wife. A tusker from north Chiruguda reserve forest attacked the couple on Kalo’s farmland. The woman fled seeing the tusker but it crushed Kalo under its feet. Prem Nagar residents reached there and blamed forest official for Kalo’s death. They staged a protest there, forcing forest officials to arrive. Forest officials assured payment of Rs 10 lakhs as compensation as per rule and after discussions with the district administration. The Red Cross declared payment of Rs 30,000 to the bereaved family. Rs 1 lakh of Rs 10 lakhs was paid in advance to the family. Kalo’s body was sent for post-mortem. “As per provision, the deceased‘s legal heir will get the compensation," said G P S Mathur, assistant conservator of forest, Rourkela.An elderly woman also lost her life in a tusker attack under Kuanrmunda forest range on Friday. Another woman met the same fate under Banki forest range in Rourkela forest division on Saturday.