Koderma: A herd of elephants trampled a 35-year-old man to death at Kataiya village in Koderma district on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, officials said. The deceased was identified as Rohit Kumar.Villagers said that a herd of 15-20 elephants has been roaming in the Satgawan block for nearly a month, previously damaging homes and crops in nearby Gajghar village.The herd entered Kataiya village late on Saturday and a group of men armed with sticks attempted to drive the animals away. Rohit had then rushed towards his cowshed to save his cattle when the elephants charged at him and trampled him to death. Before retreating, the herd also caused significant damage to the Kataiya panchayatVillagers alleged that forest officials had ignored pleas to drive the elephants out of the residential areas over the past few weeks.Following Rohit’s death, villagers blocked the road in Kataiya on Sunday demanding immediate compensation and permanent action to relocate the elephant herd. The blockade lasted for around six hours and was withdrawn after divisional forest officer (DFO), Saumitra Shukla, arrived and handed over Rs 25,000 as immediate relief to the bereaved family.He assured them that the remaining compensation, as per govt norms, would be provided once the necessary formalities are completed.Shukla said a forest team was present during the incident and was trying to drive away the herd. He said the victim had moved close to the herd on his own.“The herd entered the region from Rajauli area in Bihar,” the DFO said, adding that a special team has been engaged to chase the elephants away. He also urged villagers to avoid venturing out in the evening.Five people have lost their lives in elephant attacks in Koderma in the past one month