Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: Two villagers lost their lives after being attacked by a rogue elephant at Kutba village under the Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary limits in Sambalpur district, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The tragic incident occurred when the victims were attempting to protect their crops from frequent raids by wild animals—a growing concern for farmers in the region.

According to local sources, the victims were guarding their fields during the night when the elephant suddenly charged at them. Despite their efforts to escape, the massive animal inflicted fatal injuries, leading to their deaths on the spot. The incident has left the village in shock, prompting immediate action from forest officials.

The Forest Department has been alerted, and a specialized team has been deployed to track the elephant’s movement. Plans are underway to tranquilize the animal and steer it back into the core forest area to prevent further casualties. Officials said they are closely monitoring the situation and have advised residents to avoid venturing near forested zones during the night.

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