Smoke billows from the Gahirmatha forest range office. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, Oct. 18: Local residents of a village in the district set the Gahirmatha forest range office on fire today.

The incident took place following the death of a 62-year-old man attacked by a wild boar. The old man’s death had provoked the local settlers to go berserk.

The mob also attacked the forest personnel, while keeping some of them hostage at Sasanapeta village. Later, they were released following police intervention.

“The mob vandalised the forest office and then set it on fire. Two motorised vessels and a motorbike, owned by the department, were also set on ablaze. The residents have also ransacked the fibre fencing around the forest office,” said Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division officer Kedar Kumar Swain.

Kendrapara superintendent of police Rabi Narayan Behera said: “During early hours today, Kirti Bhusan Mandal was attacked by a wild boar. Mandal died on the spot. As the report of death spread to the village, the local settlers rushed towards the forest office. Some goons mobilised them to take law into their hands.”

The mob caused considerable damage before the police could reach the spot. The police, however, controlled the situation and dispersed the mob.

The forest personnel, including range officer Suvendu Behera held captive by the people, have been rescued, said Behera.

The departmental inquiry revealed that the troublemakers were mostly forest encroachers and timber mafias. Swain said the criminals had instigated the people to attack the forest personnel. According to the departmental guidelines, the family members of the deceased will be paid Rs 2 lakh ex gratia, he said.

One of the boats set on fire on Friday. Telegraph picture