Deogarh: A 45-year-old man was killed in an elephant attack in a forested area near Budhakhaman village under the Barkote Forest Range in Deogarh district on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Dhabala Naik, a resident of Budhakhaman village.
According to reports, Dhabala had ventured into the nearby forest to collect mahua flowers when he was suddenly attacked by a tusker. He died on the spot. When he failed to return home for several hours, his family members launched a search and later discovered his lifeless body in the forest.
Upon receiving the information, Forest Department officials—including ACF Swadhinata Sahani, Barkote Ranger Chittaranjan Purohit, and Thakurpada Forester Bhimasen Satpathy—rushed to the spot and initiated an investigation.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department is closely monitoring the elephant’s movements to prevent further incidents.