Elephant Raids Chandil SDO Complex; Devours 11 Sacks of Grain

Jamshedpur: A wild elephant triggered panic at the Chandil Sub-Divisional Office (SDO) complex on Sunday after it strayed from its herd to raid a government grain warehouse.

The Raid

The elephant emerged from the nearby forest around 11:30 AM and targeted the same warehouse it had attacked only a day prior. The animal smashed through a previously damaged shutter and barged inside. Once indoors, it reportedly devoured 11 sacks of chana dal (split chickpeas). After occupying the premises for a significant period, the elephant eventually retreated into the woods.

Security and Safety Concerns

This second consecutive attack has put the local administration on high alert. Officials now fear both future elephant incursions and potential theft due to the broken warehouse infrastructure. In response, authorities have:

• Tightened security measures across the complex.
• Deputed specific personnel to maintain a 24-hour watch over the facility.

Staff members and local residents expressed growing fear over the repeated visits. Employees warned that these frequent encounters could lead to a major loss of life and property if the government does not act promptly.

Official Response and Inquiry

“We are closely monitoring the situation alongside the local administration,” stated a senior Forest Department official. “Our teams are taking preventive measures to control the elephant’s movements.”

However, the claim that a single elephant consumed 11 sacks of lentils has sparked scepticism among some locals. Consequently, the administration and the Forest Department have launched a formal inquiry to verify the true extent of the damage and consumption.