Sonepur: Villagers in Binika block who are spending sleepless nights as a herd of 60 elephants continues to terrorise the area for the last 15 days, alleged apathy of forest officials towards their plight.
They have now demanded compensation from the department for the losses they have suffered due to the wild menace.
According to sources, life of villagers in Bankighiradi, Sarangpali, Kukudajhuli, Balaranga, Sarguna and Manigaon villages have been on the edge as the marauding pachyderms have reportedly caused large-scale crop destruction in the areas. The rampaging wild animals have also destroyed vegetable farming on several acres of land.
“Forest department officials are clueless about the movement of the elephants. They are not at all serious in driving away the wild animals, as a result of which our life has become hell. We are afraid that their callousness will only make the situation further worse,” a villager alleged.
“We have suffered serious damage to our properties and…