Sundargarh: A minor boy was killed in a wild elephant attack near the Santoshpur Reserve Forest under Bisra Forest Range in Odisha's Sundargarh district during the early hours of Thursday, triggering protests by local residents demanding compensation for the bereaved family.

The deceased has been identified as Ashok Nath Mahant (16), son of Dileswar Mahant of Jabaghat village. Ashok had recently passed his Class 10 (Matric) examination.

According to reports, the incident occurred at around 3 a.m. when Ashok reportedly went near the forest to attend nature's call carrying his mobile phone. During that time, a wild tusker suddenly attacked him. He sustained severe injuries and died on the spot.

Following the tragic incident, tension prevailed for some time at RS Colony Square, where villagers and local residents staged a protest demanding adequate compensation and financial assistance for the victim's family.

On receiving information, personnel from the Bandhamunda Police and officials of the Bisra Forest Division reached the spot and held discussions with the grieving family and villagers. The officials assured them of necessary action, after which the situation returned to normal.

The police later sent the body for post-mortem examination in the presence of officials, while further investigation into the incident is underway.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing concern over human-elephant conflict in forest-fringe areas of Odisha, where encounters between wild elephants and local residents continue to claim lives and damage property.