Gate smashed, trees uprooted as elephants storm school in Barang

Panic gripped Ramdaspur under Barang police limits after a herd of three elephants strayed into Barang Central School No. 3 late at night, leaving behind extensive damage.

Around 1 am, security personnel alerted the staff after spotting one female elephant and two tuskers inside the school premises. The herd had broken open the gate, entered the grounds, devoured fruits, and damaged several trees.

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A teacher who rushed to the site said, “Along with two other teachers, I went to check. The elephants stayed for nearly an hour. They ate fruits, uprooted trees and created chaos. When we flashed torchlight on them, they eventually left the campus.”

Damage to Nearby Properties and Fear Among Residents

After leaving the school, the elephants reportedly broke the gate of a company located across the road before moving away. Locals expressed concerns over the safety of residents, especially since the herd had entered a school. 
Just two days prior, elephants had caused extensive damage to three companies in Ramdaspur industrial area, breaking fences and uprooting trees in three patches of elephant habitat.

Residents Allege Lack of Patrolling

Local villagers alleged that the Forest Department has not been conducting adequate patrolling in the area, increasing the risk of human-elephant conflict. The school is located close to the jungle and lies within a recognised elephant corridor, making such incidents more likely. 

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Authorities from the Forest Department reportedly reached the school around 3:00 am after being informed.

Call for Enhanced Safety Measures

The incident has raised questions over the preparedness of authorities to handle elephant movement near human settlements. Residents have urged the Forest Department to step up patrolling, particularly near schools and industrial areas, to prevent further damage and ensure public safety.