Rourkela: A former sarpanch was trampled to death by elephants near Harpali village on Tuesday. With this, the number of death in elephant attack has so far risen to seven this year.

The deceased, Ranka Toppo, 48, former sarpanch of the Kacharu gram panchayat, was a part of the elephant drive team. Toppo is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

According to the forest department, a herd consisting of over 10 elephants was roaming around Harpali village under Kuanrmunda range. "It used to come out in the evening," said a villager, Mahi Munda.

"It came back on Sunday evening as we spotted them and had informed the department," said Munda. On Tuesday night, the herd came closer to the villages nearby and were eating the vegetables grown in the field.

The elephant drive team was immediately informed and throughout the night it kept on driving the jumbos away. Toppo was taking the lead in the drive. In the morning, the herd started moving towards the Jharkhand border. But, one female elephant suddenly turned around and came rushing towards the drive team. "We were panicked and started running in whichever direction possible. Unfortunately, Toppo fell down," said a team member.

The jumbo then lifted Toppo and banged him down. Later, it trampled his head, said an eyewitness.

"Toppo died on the spot," said Kuanrmunda forest range officer Sudhansu Sahani.

He said Toppo's family was given Rs 20,000 for cremation purpose, and after the official investigation the family would get Rs 5 lakh.

Man kills life

A 32-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in Kendrapara district, police said on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as Saroj Mohanty, a native of Pabitrapada village under Sadar police station jurisdiction. Police said an unnatural death case has been registered in this connection. Investigation is on to ascertain the exact cause of the suicide.