Sajanagad: A day after more elephants from Jharkhand entered Nilagiri area in Balasore district, the animals unleashed a reign of terror Friday.
Solar fences and even trenches have failed to keep the jumbos out of human habitations, forcing people in some areas to take shelter in treetop houses.
The herd of 58 elephants was holed up in Tinikosia reserve forest Friday.
Alarmingly, people in some villages have left for elsewhere out of fear while in some places people are burning torches throughout the night to ward off the marauding elephants.
Besides, the energy department, which was concerned about the safety of the animals, had to shut down power transmissions frequently, leaving the nearby villages in dark.
This has caused deep resentment among the people, it was learnt. Locals complained that at the time of power cuts, they do not have kerosene to light lamps.
At some places, villagers alleged that the solar fencing and trenches made by the forest department were no deterrent against the elephants that sporadically go on a rampage at nights.
They pointed out that the forest department has not taken necessary measures to drive the elephants away this year.
A herd of elephants had caused extensive damage to crop in the area 15 days ago while the influx of more elephants has become a cause of concern for the villagers and the forest department.
Some have even warned that if the forest department does not do anything, it has to face the fury of locals in coming days.
Angry over the forest department’s inaction, locals had blocked the Sajanagad-Ajodhya road by burning tyres for two hours Thursday.
PNN
