Sajanagad: Another 14 elephants joined a herd of 44 in Nilagiri area of Balasore district Thursday. The animals strayed from Dalma sanctuary in Jharkhand and damaged three houses at Hatiashila Thursday, triggering panic among the people.
Angry over the forest department’s failure check the entry of elephants into human habitations, locals blocked the Sajanagad-Ajodhya road by burning tyres for two hours.
They alleged the animals have been frequently damaging paddy and houses. A herd had caused extensive damage to crops in the area 15 days ago. More influx of elephants in the area has left them panicked.
Local IIC Nalita Modi and additional tehsildar Rakesh Panda held talks with the agitating villagers.
The officials assured the locals that the damage caused by the jumbos will be assessed after the animals were driven out.
Kuladiha ACF Laxman Pradhan, Nilagiri ranger Sukumar Das, forest guards and over 80 members of Sabuja Bahini were keeping a watch on the movement of the pachyderms. The herd is said to be heading towards Tinikosia forest.
PNN
