Two schools of Deulhudi and Gothanijor under Bonei Forest Division lay closed for last six days as a herd of elephants kept unleashing a reign of terror in the locality. Scared of the marauding elephants, the teachers and students continued to skip both the schools.
Sources said in the last eight days, an 18-member elephant herd, divided into three groups, roamed in Gobindpur, Deulhudi, Sandhapur, Dhadakidipa, Gothanijor and Baladih areas under Bonei Forest Division, damaging houses and paddy crops and attacking villagers whosoever come by. According to forest officials, during a drive away operation on Sunday, the elephant herd was in Badakaturidua area and the officials were keeping a close watch over the pachyderms to prevent further conflicts and damages. “We have put a camp in these areas to prevent casualties,” said Bonei Forest Division DFO SK Banchor.