Keonjhar/Rourkela: Panic spread in parts of Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts after four people died in separate elephant attacks in the last two days, leading to an increase in human-elephant conflict in the state.In Keonjhar district, two deaths were reported from different forest divisions. On Saturday morning, 55-year-old woman Manjulata Nath was crushed to death by an elephant in ward number 12. 7 of Anandapur Municipality under Anandapur Wildlife Division. She had gone to the mango orchard to collect fruits when the elephant suddenly appeared and attacked her. Eyewitnesses said the animal grabbed him with its trunk and threw him to the ground, killing him on the spot.The elephant was reportedly roaming in Fakirpur, Salabani and surrounding villages since Friday night and damaging crops and vegetable gardens. When Nath did not return home, family members started a search and later her body was found in the garden. Forest officials reached the spot and with the help of police recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem. DFO (Anandpur) Prashant Kumar Panda visited the area and assured compensation and assistance as per government norms. Another woman Yashoda Malik was also injured in the same incident. Two more deaths were reported from Rourkela forest division in Sundergarh district. Jamuna Mohanta (66) of Saledihi village under Banki range was crushed to death on Saturday morning when she had come out near her house. The elephant reportedly got separated from the herd and killed it before moving towards a nearby forest area. Similarly, Gloria Toppo (65) of Saunapada village in Kuanramunda range died in an elephant attack while collecting Mahua seeds in the forest on Friday. Forest officials and police recovered both the bodies and sent them for autopsy. In each case, the legal heirs are entitled to a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.Forest officials have intensified awareness measures, including miking in sensitive villages, urging people to remain alert about the movement of elephants. Local people in the affected areas protested demanding compensation and preventive measures to stop the attacks.

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