In another instance of man-animal conflict wild elephants have injured one person and damaged crops and houses in Teliamura in Tripura’s Khowai district.
A group of wild elephants went berserk on December 5 and damaged at least seven houses in Krishnapur in Teliamura sub-division.
They also destroyed crops of worth Rs 10-12 lakhs and injured a 95-year old person while he had been trying to escape the fury of the animals.
Elephant menace has become a major concern for people living in North Krishnapur, Madhya Krishnapur, South Krishnapur, Chanmplai, Baluchhara, Bhumiheen Colony and Rupali Basti under Teliamura sub-division.
Forest department personnel rushed to the spot after being informed by villagers.
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The forest officials tried to disperse the herd of elephants with firecrackers, but soon they returned exhausted and leaving the villagers at the mercy of the tuskers.
“A group of elephants, mostly tuskers strode into our hamlet and ransacked our house, damaging several cable instruments in the process,” said Babul Sarkar, a resident of Krishnapur.
“Elephants also destroyed our vegetable garden and I have incurred a loss of more than Rs one lakh in the incident,” he said.
“The elephants have also damaged chili plants and sweet potato cultivation in my farm,” said Kinkar Das, a farmer residing in the area.
The elephant also ransacked rubber plantations of two people, causing damage of more than Rs 5 lakhs.
The villagers had in the past urged the forest department personnel to set up a makeshift camp to stop elephants from entering the village.
However, forest officials have turned a deaf ear to their plea.
State forest minister, Mebar Kumar Jamatia had also promised to set up makeshift camps for the safety of villagers.