The residents of Devi riverside villages such as Naugaon, Machhagaon, Ghadimula and Alipingala areas in Jagatsinghpur district are reeling under crocodile menace for last one week after a few crocodiles were spotted in the villages.
Reports said that the residents stopped moving to river and discontinued farming near the river, while fishermen have postponed venturing into river for catching fish.
The residents from Bachhalo, Sikhara and Garei villages under Naugaon block informed that they are afraid of moving near the river as crocodiles have been spotted.
Villagers of Alipingla revealed that for last many years the crocodiles were not found in the river Devi. However, this year, they have been found.
Meanwhile, Nauagon Revenue Department said that there was no confirmation on report of crocodile threat in the riverside villages. If complaints come, we will take necessary steps, informed Naugaon Tehsildar Prahlad Pati.