Joda: A herd of elephants are on a rampage in various parts of Champua range in Keonjhar district since the last 10 days. The pachyderms emerged from the Baitarani reserve forest and damaged a house, besides eating paddy and rice at Dadhuan late Sunday night.
The animals also attempted to damage some other houses, but villagers scared them away. The villagers alleged that the forest department does not have not adequate personnel to drive away the animals from locality.
Joda forester Peon Nayak said that 22 elephants are moving in the area. Forest officials are keeping a close watch on the animals, he added.