Marauding jumbo herd creates panic in Keonjhar villages

Keonjhar: Panic gripped residents of various pockets of Champua range in Keonjhar district as a herd of elephants went on the rampage and caused extensive damage to houses and agricultural fields on Wednesday morning.
According to reports, the jumbos destroyed several houses in Parudipasi and Bardhana villages and damaged vegetables and rice stocks there.
People are spending sleepless nights as the herd has been wreaking havoc in the area for the last five days. Over 22 houses and 20 acre of farmland have been damaged. “Though elephant menace has been continuing unabated in the area, no steps have been taken to keep them away from human habitations,” a villager alleged.
On the other hand, forest officials said the elephant herd might have entered the villages in search of food. “We are keeping a close watch on their movement and efforts are on to drive them away,” said an official.