The Forest Department in the district formed a patrolling squad to prevent growing incidence of elephant attack. But, the same does not seem to be rising up to the expectations of the people.
On Wednesday night, the elephants damaged as many as five houses in the presence of forest staff. Within last 10 days, three persons have been killed by elephants while hundreds of houses were damaged within last two months. The Forest Department has become helpless in this situation.
On Tuesday night, the houses of Gobind Oram, Tabada Oram, Pabi Kishan of Kheriakani village were damaged by the elephants and the forest officials nearby posed as silent spectators. lots of vegetables grown in around one acre of land were also destroyed by the elephants too. A strong action is demanded by the villagers who are living with fear every now and then.
Kirimira bock president Nalini Kishan said, “We cannot sleep at night. The elephants have forced most of the villagers to seek shelter on rooftops. The doors in most houses have been broken or something else damaged." We are most worried and our children are living in fear. No-one can work outside and people are afraid of staying in their homes, Kishan added.
Kolabira and Bagdihi Forest Range Senior Forester Nakul Kishan said officials were keeping an eye on the elephants to make sure that the jumbo herds did not cause any more harm to the villagers or damage their houses and crops. The wild elephants tend to stray into paddy fields and destroy crops while migrating from one jungle to another, he informed.