Elephants wreak havoc in Udalguri

A Correspondent

TANGLA, June 9: The fury of wild jumbos continues unabated in the Indo-Bhutan border villages in Udalguri. Reportedly, a herd comprising 70-80 wild jumbos caused substantial damage to property and crops in Saotal Basti in Uttar Garuajhar area under Nonai Forest Range of Udalguri on Friday night. The jumbos damaged six houses in the area belonging to Butu Soren, Albish Orang, Budhrai Soren, Moromi Soren, Tarjen Soren and Lakhi Hemron. Luckily, no person was injured in the attacks.

The incident has cast a dark shadow over the poverty-stricken victim families who find it hard to meet their daily needs. "The herd has been creating menace in the area and it has descended down from hills in search of food. The elephants damaged houses and destroyed crops of severalbighas in the area on Friday night. We have sent our staff to take steps in the area to chase away the elephant herd," said a forest official.

Dibakar Nayak, a nature lover of the area, said a herd of more than 60 elephants, including a good number of calves, has been wandering in the area for the last few days. The villagers have been spending sleepless nights for the last couple of days in fear of the elephants, he added.