Jajpur: A 52‑year‑old man is feared dead after being attacked and dragged away by a saltwater crocodile in Kharasrota river under Dalijodi forest range in Jajpur district on Tuesday morning.The victim, identified as Harihara Jena of Risipur village, was bathing in the river around 10.30 am, when the reptile suddenly surfaced, clamped its jaws around him, and pulled him into deep water.Eyewitnesses said the attack was swift and terrifying. “The crocodile leapt out without warning and dragged Harihara down under. We raised an alarm and tried to rescue him, but he vanished within seconds,” recalled Abhijit Jena, a villager who was present at the spot. Another witness, Manas Behera, said the predator’s sudden strike left onlookers helpless. Villagers rushed to the riverbank after hearing cries for help, but their efforts to save the man proved futile.Dalijodi range officer Satyananda Subudhi said a joint search operation has been launched involving fire services personnel, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and forest department staff. “We are combing the river to trace the missing man. The forest department will provide ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the victim’s family after due inquiry,” Subudhi said.
