By IANS
Bhubaneswar : A father and his small daughter were killed and three other family members grievously injured when a herd of wild elephants trampled their thatched home in Orissa's Gajapati district while they were asleep, officials said Saturday.
Apuru Sabar (35) and his 10-year-old daughter Champa Sabar were killed while his wife, Oralu, and two other children escaped with injuries as they managed to hide in a ditch. A herd of more than 10 elephants entered Badigaonguda village bordering Rayagada and Gajapati districts from Lakhari forest nearby.
Villagers around the area have fled fearing the pachyderms would return. Wildlife lovers opine the animals came in search of food and water.
Forest guards have set up base camps to chase away the elephants, but to no avail. The herd had earlier created havoc in Gadiabang and Chinasari villages, about 10 km from Gunupur town. However, residents of the two villages chased away the herd towards the Lakhari forest.
Senior forest officials of Rayagada and Gajapati have reached the village to take stock of the situation.
The district administration has announced compensation of Rs.100,000 to the kin of each killed.