Chandigarh

Jumbo menace in Odisha: 3 killed, houses damaged in 10 days

RAJKUMAR SHARMA

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.”