A 30-year-old man of a village on the fringes of Tukuriajhar forest in Siliguri sub-division was trampled to death by a wild elephant on Monday morning.

Sources said Lupai Mardi of Dangarvita village of Kharibari block had been to a stream early morning to fish when the animal attacked him.

“The elephant had strayed into the locality from the adjoining forest, It chased the youth and trampled him to death,” said a resident.

The villagers claimed that for the past few days they were spending sleepless nights as wild elephants were entering their hamlet for fodder.

“The forest department should increase its vigil to prevent elephants from entering villages,” a resident added.

As news spread, Kishorimohan Singha, a member of Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, went to the spot and spoke with villagers.

“I will talk to foresters so that family members of the deceased get compensation, I will also ask them to increase the frequency of patrolling teams in the area to prevent such incidents,” said Singha.

A team of foresters also went to the village, recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.