Baripada: Panic has gripped people in the Champua forest range in Keonjhar district after a herd of 36 elephants were seen in the area.
Farmers are a worried lot as pachyderms are creating nuisance by damaging crops in villages of Champua.
As many as 13 elephants were spotted in Kutugaon, Sanajoda and Haridajoda areas whereas in Kainta area, 22 jumbos were seen. Similarly, locals in Bamebari have spotted an elephant.
Though forest department personnel with the help of locals are trying to drive back the wild animals, the efforts have fallen flat.
Earlier this month, a herd of nearly 150 elephants were spotted in bordering areas of Keonjhar with Jharkhand.
Besides, local residents in Barbil and Champua were in a state of horror as a herd of 70 jumbos wreaked havoc in the area.
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