Keonjhar: The forest department here has constituted 15 squads to chase away a rampaging elephant herd that strayed into the Champua forest range from neighbouring Jharkhand.
Some 20 elephants including a wild tusker were spotted moving around Mukundpur, Sartalia, Mirigisinga and Mangalpur areas Saturday. The herd destroyed standing crops on nearly two acres of land, much to the distress and consternation of the locals.
Officials said the elephants had entered Jharkhand after crossing the Odisha border June 21. The same herd was back again while keeping the forest officials on their toes. The Champua Ranger said that torch lights were being used at night and crackers during the day to chase away the wild animals and keep them away from attempts at straying into human settlements.
Earlier, panic gripped locals of Chemana village under Patana forest range after a herd of over 20 elephants was spotted at a eucalyptus-raised forest region close to the human settlement June 8.
Officials said the pachyderms strayed from the Mayurbhanj side after crossing the Baitarani river and camped in the eucalyptus forest near Chemana village.