Morada: Even as there was no let-up in the menace from Jharkhand elephants here in Mayurbhanj district, tension ran high in the area Sunday. Locals staged a road blockade over the crop damage as a herd of 100 elephants damaged crops and eight houses Saturday night.
The locals accused the forest department of failure to contain the mayhem despite crores of rupees being spent from the state coffers.
Reports said the animals damaged crops and eight houses in Badamabapur, Kuchabania, Badhi, Karartpata and Bhaigasahi under Rasgobindapur block. For the last two days, people have lost their sleep as elephants have been trampling paddy crops and vegetables on a daily basis and pulling down houses.
Over 100 elephants strayed into Panishola village last night and damaged houses of Sukadev Mohant, Birendra Ram, Ratnakar Mohant, Ruiha Mohant, Luda Ram, Malati Ram and Shanka Hansda. Two shops were also destroyed at Badampur.
Some houses collapsed trapping people inside. Locals rescued the victims, reports said.
Angry over this, hundreds of people blocked the Manida-Baisinga road at Badampur Sunday. Police and forest officials rushed to the spot and tried to convince the agitating people.
They relented after the forest officials assured that the damage will be assessed and compensation will be provided to the affected people.
PNN