Parbatjhora, Assam – Panic grips residents of Parbatjhora as a marauding herd of wild elephants unleashes chaos in Chataguri village, situated under the jurisdiction of Bagribari police station. The elephants have trampled through four or five houses, wreaking havoc and devouring stored rice, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Driven by hunger, the elephants ventured from the forest into the village, triggering a scene of pandemonium as villagers fled their homes in terror. Despite desperate attempts by residents to deter the elephants by setting fires along the roadside, the pachyderms continued their relentless rampage.
Forest department officials and police arrived at the scene nearly two hours after receiving the distress call. Their primary objective now is to herd the elephants back into the forest and restore tranquility to the beleaguered village.
According to local accounts, an elephant initially appeared in the vicinity earlier in the evening. Villagers extended offerings of rice and other food items to the elephant, which it consumed. However, after satisfying its hunger, the elephant turned aggressive, causing widespread panic by damaging houses. The elephant remains in the vicinity, prompting villagers to remain vigilant and avoid its path.
This incident underscores the persistent human-wildlife conflict in the region, emphasizing the pressing need for effective strategies to manage and mitigate such encounters.