Keonjhar; A herd of 21 tuskers created widespread panic destroying houses and paddy fields at Balibandh village under Champua Notified Area Council in Keonjhar district on Monday.
The pachyderm destroyed paddy fields in parts of the district. But their destruction spree did not cause any loss of life, said the sources.
Several acres of paddy crop have been devastated due to the elephant menace at a time when the paddy is ripe for harvest. People repeatedly complained to the Forest authorities, but the officials have taken little notice of the loss of crop and property. Consequently, panicked villagers have formed voluntary groups to patrol at night and to scare away the elephants.
Several people residing in mud houses have spent sleepless nights for fear of the wild elephants, it is learnt.
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