H.D. Kote: A 45-year-old man, who was watching over his crops yesterday night, has been trampled to death by an elephant.

The deceased is Prakash, son of late Mudaiah. Prakash, who had grown ragi in his land at Hullemala, about 8 km from Sargur, had gone to his fields yesterday night to keep a watch on the crops. At that time a herd of elephants raided the crops and attacked Prakash, who tried to flee from the spot but was trampled to death.

Tahsildar Manjunath, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Paramesh, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Ravikumar, Sargur Circle Inspector Puttaraju, Sargur Range Forest Officer (RFO) Manjunath and others visited the spot. Villagers have urged the officials to provide compensation to his family.