Sonepur: Villagers in Binika block who are spending sleepless nights as a herd of 60 elephants continues to terrorise the area for the last 15 days, alleged apathy of forest officials towards their plight.
They have now demanded compensation from the department for the losses they have suffered due to the wild menace.
According to sources, life of villagers in Bankighiradi, Sarangpali, Kukudajhuli, Balaranga, Sarguna and Manigaon villages have been on the edge as the marauding pachyderms have reportedly caused large-scale crop destruction in the areas. The rampaging wild animals have also destroyed vegetable farming on several acres of land.
“Forest department officials are clueless about the movement of the elephants. They are not at all serious in driving away the wild animals, as a result of which our life has become hell. We are afraid that their callousness will only make the situation further worse,” a villager alleged.
“We have suffered serious damage to our properties and our lives too are in danger. The department should compensate us adequately. They should also take measures to drive away the herd,” he added.
According to sources, the villagers are panic stricken as the elephants have been entering human habitations after the sunset. The elephants are also damaging houses and devouring the stored rice inside. Such incidents have also added to the fear of the locals.
Locals said due to the fear of the jumbos, they were forced to sleep on the terraces of their houses even as the night temperature in the district has been continuously plummeting below 15 degree Celsius.
“It’s been over 15 days the jumbos are entering the village repeatedly from the forest and have been damaging property and standing paddy crops in the area,” said another villager.
On the other hand, Forest officials are reportedly finding it tough to drive away the herd. They are in a fix as the elephants do not remain stationary in a particular location for long.
“A team has been keeping a track of the herd’s movement. We will be able to drive away the elephants soon,” said a forest official.
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