Fear gripped the hamlets abutting the Koundinya elephant sanctuary in Palamaner and Baireddipalle mandals on Thursday, when the body of a farmer who went missing a few days ago was found in the forests in a highly decomposed state, after he was reportedly trampled by elephants.
Palamaner Circle Inspector A. Surendra Reddy said Muneendra, 32, of Chettapenta village of Palamaner mandal, went inside the sanctuary along with cows four days ago. As he didn't return home, his family members and neighbours searched for him but in vain. Some cattlemen noticed the body on Thursday and informed Palamaner police after identifying him.
The officials suspect that as the badly mauled body was found in the forests of adjoining Baireddipalle mandal, the deceased might have run for life from the a wild herd.
Marks of trampling and the footprints and dung of elephants were noticed in the vicinity.
