Wild elephants creating havoc in Wokha district

Kohima, Nov 25 (UNI) A herd of wild elephants, which entered from the Assam side, is creating havoc in the bordering villages of Wokha district of Nagaland for over a month, and has destroyed huge area of paddy and other cultivation.

Official sources said the herd, including over 20 wild pachyderms, was roaming in villages under the Bhandari sub-division of Wokha district, destroying paddy fields, orchards and other vegetable cultivation along the banks of Yingri river.

The people of the area were terrorised and afraid to come out of their houses at night because of the silent movement of the pachyderms and sudden attack.

The situation was now becoming a threat to public mobility not only in the area but also along the main lifeline of the area, the Merapani road.

The Gaon Burahs and Village Chairmen of the affected villages have requested the Forest Department and district authorities to chase away the herd of elephants, but so far no action has been taken.

Moreover, Nagaland has no Forest Guard Squad so far, despite the announcement of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to raise a squad of one hundred guards, which is yet to be initiated.

Local people of the area said the herd of elephants had reportedly killed one person in Hayiyan/Lio village a week ago.

They said the herd attacked the thatched house of an Adivashi field labourer, one Borli Orang, who lived there along with his wife and minor son.

The elephants first pulled out the child, but let him to go unhurt and also allowed the wailing mother to whisk him and escape.

Then Borli was pulled out and trampled to death. The herd also destroyed the houses of one Ezanlow and one Nyimbemo of the same village.

UNI AS DPM NYND1336