The decomposed body of a youth was recovered from a forest in Pallahara by a forest patrolling squad.
The deceased was identified as Narendra Behera (30) of Jamardihi village under Pallahara police station who had been missing from home for last two days. The death is suspected to be due to elephant attack. The head and some other parts of the body were missing. The area is an elephant prone area.
Meanwhile, the family members and villagers alleged that due to negligence of the Forest Department the youth was killed as 15-20 elephants are roaming in the area with least vigil mounted by the department.
They did not let the body to be taken for conducting postmortem demanding suitable compensation from the Government.
Forest Ranger Duryodhan Kerai admitted that the death was due to elephant attack and sanctioned Rs 40,000 compensation on the spot to the kin of the deceased. He assured that the rest compensation money would be provided to the family members of the deceased as per rules. Dhenkanal MP Mahes Chandra Sahoo’s nominee Abanikant Sahoo met the bereaved family members.
