A man had to part with his life while attempting selfie at handshaking distance near a wild elephant.

Rourkela:2/9/17: A man had to part with his life while attempting selfie at handshaking distance near a wild elephant.

A youth was gorged to death by a rampaging jumbo while the deceased was trying to take a selfie the mammal at handshaking distance.

Ashok Bharati, around 30, was trampled to death by an elephant, while the deceased was very nearer to it and was trying for a selfie, according to eyewitnesses. The incident took place nearer Mandiakudar village, closer to Kansbahal, nearly 25 kilometers away from here.

The marauding elephant is part of a herd. The herd is roaming under the Rajgangpur range for the last couple of weeks. There are over 10 elephants in the herd. Yesterday night this elephant was chased down by villagers and it lost its regular path. It came rushing towards Kansbahal and stayed near Mandiakudar village.

For the last couple of weeks it is roaming alone. As a single elephant it is both scared and angry, so it was in a very devastating mood. This morning it was in a very aggressive mood. “Besides, the presence of villagers and officials made him angry,” said a local. The forest officials tried to dissuade the villagers to not to disturb the elephant as it might cause damages. It was a very critical situation at the spot. The villagers tried to drive the beast away from the locality. This further enraged it and it started to chase the villagers.

ACF DilipSahu of Rajganpur range, said, “we were trying to disperse the villagers from the spot but no one listened.” He confirmed that this elephant was staying near the locality and was in a very foul mood as it was separated from its herd. “I am not sure whether it was separated from the herd or was driven away,” said Sahu. While another villager said, “no it was not allowed into the herd.” Sahu said, “we will drive him away this evening as it has made life miserable for many.” Meanwhile, S Dehury, ZillaparishaRajgangpur (b) said, “the careless officials should be punished as it claimed a life and the family of the deceased should be compensated.”

The doctors at RGH pronounced him brought dead. He was working in a private mechanical construction company here.