Jumbo attacks trigger panic

Silchar: Frequent attacks by a herd of wild elephants in different areas of Patharkandi in south Assam's Karimganj district in the last few days have triggered panic among the villagers.

Patharkandi is nearly 80km from here.

Villagers R. Goala and Antu Das, among others, said the houses of labourers Babul Kand and Kartik Kand were razed by the herd at Champabari village, around 95km from here, in the wee hours of Friday.

However, the two managed to flee to a safe place with their families when the attack took place.

Two more houses were damaged by the elephants on Saturday. The herd also destroyed crops in and around the village.

Uttam Rikiason, another villager, said though the elephants wreak havoc every year in different villages of Patharkandi, the forest department did not take any steps to curb the menace.

Rikiason said the herd had killed many goats and cows in different areas and demanded that the elephants be caught and sent to a wildlife sanctuary.

Sukhdeb Saha, a ranger of the Patharkandi forest range, told this correspondent over phone on Sunday morning that forest officials had visited the areas and assessed the damage caused by the herd.

He confirmed the destruction of houses and arable lands in the past two days and said compensation would be given to the affected families.


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