Crocodile kills farmer in Bhitarkanika

KENDRAPADA: A 34-year-old man was killed by a saltwater crocodile at Dakhinabheda village within Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapada district on Wednesday, the seventh such death in seven months. The deceased was identified as Nimai Mallick.
Sources said Nimai was dragged away by the crocodile when he was collecting water in a bucket from the river for his vegetable field at 8.30 am.His elder brother Nirmal tried to save him but the reptile dragged Nimai into deep water. Villagers, fire services personnel and forest guards later fished out Nimai’s half-eaten body.
“The forest department will provide a compensation of Rs 6 lakh to the family members of the deceased after due inquiry,” said DFO of Bhitarkanika, Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav.