Over 3,000 villagers of Pipradih, Jharkhi and Biraspur in Giridih who are living in fear following the return of a herd of 14 elephants on Friday blamed forest officials for ignoring their pleas.
The herd of 14 elephants, including four calves, arrived in Birni block on February 28 were driven out through the Dumri forests, but it came back to the same place on Friday. The forest officials here said they were finding it difficult to chase the elephants away owing to the presence of their calves. But a section of the villagers said none of the forest officials came to their rescue. “We cannot sleep fearing that the herd might attack. None of the forest officials came forward to take stock of the situation,” said Satyadeo Yadav, resident of Taratand village.
“Wildlife experts from Bankura tried to drive away the herd, but nothing could be done so far because of the calves,” said Giridih DFO Kumar Ashish and added that he had sought details of the losses incurred by villagers.