Panic in tribal villages as wild elephants kill three in fortnight

Jeypore,Orissa,Jan 17(UNI) An elephant herd, which sneaked into the Dasmantpur block from the neighboring Rampur jungle under Kolahandi forest, has trampled to death three tribals and destroyed crops forcing the panicked villagers to flee to the town.

The wild elephants numbering about 16 in the herd had entered Kusmabhota village under Jeypore block after trampling two tribal children to death yesterday in Kusumbhata village.

Panicked over the presence of such a big herd, the villagers have started leaving for Jeypore town for safety anticipating more attack on their lives.

According to reports,the elephant herd had reached Borrigumma block under Jeypore forest division two days back after causing much destruction in neighboring Dasamantpur block where one woman was trampled to death on January 5 last.

The herd had been found roaming freely in Kusambhata,Kendupadar, Ram gad, Biagandpadar and Haridaguda jungles.The local tribals who for the first time noticed the presence of such a big herd were so terrified that they had started migrating to other places.

Sources said on Monday late night the herd destroyed a banana garden of one Benu saunta and crushed to death his two children Gupta and Kausalya.

The tragic incident had sent shockwave in the tribal villages and since Tuesday over 300 tribals have left their villages to nearby Jeypore town.

What has perturbed and agitated the local tribals that even after the death of three tribals by the herd over last fortnight and destruction of crop and other property, no attempt has been made so far by the forest department to chase the herd to its original habitat.

Forest department sources admitted that the elephant herd had ventured from neighboring Rampur jungle under Kolahandi forest division and traveled all along 300 kms crossing Phulbani and Rayagada to reach Koraput district.

''We have been approaching both district Revenue administration and Forest officials to save the lives of the tribals from the rampaging herd but in vain,says Guru Saunta , an elder of Kusmabhata village.

Meanwhile, a high level Revenue team lead by Koraput ADM H K Behera visited Kusumabhotta village and handed over Rs.10,000 to the next kin of the deceased.

UNI