Jaigaon, Aug. 7: One person was killed by a tusker which also destroyed 20 huts when it went on the rampage in the Dalmore tea garden last night.

Kishor Palchowk, agriculture karmadhaksha of Madarihaat-Birpara panchayat samity, said people started fleeing when the elephant entered the Dhobi Line of the estate from Dalmore forest around 11.30pm.

Kailash Tamang (30), who ran out of the house to escape from the marauding pachyderm, was chased by the animal and thrashed to death. The tusker then went on a destruction spree, razing to the ground one hut after another.

Although Kailash was taken to Birpara hospital, he was declared brought dead.

Enraged by frequent intrusions of wild elephants and the alleged lackadaisical attitude of forest department in rebuilding the huts destroyed by the animals, the residents blocked Birpara-Lankapara Road at Daktar Kuthi for more than seven hours today.

According to Jalpaiguri divisional forest officer Kalyan Das, his department pays Rs 1 lakh to the relatives of each person who dies in elephant menace. The officer said he would try to arrange for funds for the reconstruction of huts as well.