A herd of elephants trampled a village youth to death in Bundu on Tuesday morning, sparking a massive protest that crippled traffic on Ranchi-Jamshedpur highway and left hundreds of commuters stranded for over four hours.

The deceased has been identified as Akshay Mahto (in his 20s), a native of Edelhatu village in Bundu block, around 45km from the capital.

The villagers, including Mahto, were trying to drive away the herd, comprising 12-14 elephants, around 8am to save standing crops. But, the crowd and commotion irked the animals, who turned towards the villagers and incidentally picked Mahto as their target.

Soon after Mahto's death, hundreds of irate villagers hit the NH-33, considered the state's lifeline, and put up a blockade between Nawadih and Bundu. The villagers were demanding compensation for kin of the deceased.

The jumbo menace and ensuing villagers' protest left commuters high and dry on the highway for hours. Movement of long-distance buses, originating from or heading to Ranchi, was badly affected.

Anadi, the driver of a Tamar-bound bus, said he got stuck in the jam near Bundu around 10.30am and returned to the capital. "I dropped Bundu and Tamar-bound passengers near Nawadih (before Bundu) and turned to Ranchi," he added.

Jamshedpur Bus Owners' Association chief patron Upender Sharma said several buses from the capital arrived late at Sitaramdera terminus. "A few buses from Jamshedpur also got stuck near Bundu," said Sharma.

Ranjit Singh, a welfare department clerk from Jamshedpur, said: "I had to go to Ranchi for official work today. But due to the stir, I took the bus in the evening. I will stay in a hotel tonight and do the work tomorrow (Wednesday)."

Ranjit Kumar Mahto, a youth from Bundu who had come to the capital in the morning to lodge a complaint at the chief minister's monthly Seedhi Baat programme, said he had a harrowing time returning home. "I had to take a detour from near Taimara ghati to reach Bundu. There was a massive jam and I was lucky to be on a bike," he added.

The jams could be removed around 2.30pm after police and forest officials rushed to the spot and placated the agitators.

Bundu SDPO K.B. Raman said it was a Herculean task to convince the villagers. "A few stones also came hurtling down towards us. But, we kept our cool," he added.

DFO (Khunti) A.K. Gupta said: "Prima facie it appears the villagers used flash of mobile phone cameras to click pictures while trying to shoo away the elephants. They generally get angry if light is flashed on them. Though it was morning hours, the mobile camera lights are quite strong and elephants are very sensitive."

How can the administration keep protesters off highways? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com