Malkangiri: Panic gripped Munsa village under Hindrimal panchayat in Odisha's Malkangiri district late last night as a 12-feet crocodile entered inside the house of one Dasarathi Padiami while his wife and children were asleep.

Hearing the sound of movement of the animal, Padiami woke up to the frightening situation.

Padiami soon took his two daughters to the attic of the house to ensure their safety following which the couple came out of the house to seek help from villagers.

The locals first rescued his two daughters and then tied the crocodile to a tree using a rope.

On being informed, Forest officials reached the spot to rescue the animal. Till last reports came in, a discussion was going on between the officials and villagers whether to release the reptile to nearby Satiguda Dam or not.

The locals, however, were opposing the decision of releasing the crocodile to the dam.