Six huts destroyed, crops damaged
Jamshedpur, May 23 : The herd of elephant strayed into Manikoi village under Chandil police station area in adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district early morning damaging crops.
The elephants in the herd which had to drop migration mid-way reluctantly and was directed back to Dalma, their original home appeared to be aggressive as they came closer to the santuary , which is about 2-Kms away.
Six elephants wreaked havoc at Chalakbigha village adjoining Seraikela- Kharsawan district.
The animals destroyed three houses, damaged crops, including aloe vera plants worth thousands of rupees, and critically injured a villager during the one-and-a-half hour rampage.
A few villagers woke up, hearing commotion in the nearby fields, and raised an alarm. However, they did not dare to come out, fearing that they might come in front of the rampaging elephants.
Kashray Singh Sardar said that the forest department officials are also not doing enough to ensure for the safety and security of the villagers’ life in the face.
“We are not being provided with torchlight or any other materials which are generally supplied by the forest department when an elephant menace crops up at any human habitat,” said Sardar.
He said that rampaging elephants are a cause of concern. Some measures have been adopted and there is need to do more to protect the people. The farmers have been asked to inform the nearest range office in case of crop raiding so that special teams will be deputed to drive the elephants into the deep jungle.
Meanwhile people are in state of havoc due to such menace. Sometimes villagers migrate to safer places for a week or more to avoid the sudden night-time attacks of the wild elephant herds.
There are about three more villagers who have fallen victim to the wild elephants who love to eat the young paddy field. After the trampling of the crops, the people of adjoining villagers are apprehensive of similar phenomena at the paddy field in their villages and are mobilised supports to take preventive measures before it is too late.
People were in state of havoc due to such menace. Sometimes villagers migrate to safer places for a week or more to avoid the sudden night-time attacks of the wild elephant herds.
�Though the tuskers have left from our village but we are forced to spend sleepless nights. Our lives are at risk due to rampaging elephants. Elephants regularly venture into villages, destroy houses, damage standing crops and even trample people to death. We are forced to work like a �night guard� to save our lives and crops� said Langu Munda a villager.