One Mathias Soren (42) was trampled to death by a herd of elephants under Kuanrmunda forest range in Sundargarh district on Friday. Kuanrmunda forest ranger PK Ghadei said Soren was going on a bicycle on a forest route near Kandageda village when the elephants appeared before him. He tried to escape but in vain.
Rourkela DFO Sanjeev Kumar said an interim relief of `10,000 has been given to the bereaved family while compensation of ` two lakh would be released later. He said the herd comprised 11 elephants and forestors have been instructed to keep track of the animals.