Elephants destroy crops, villagers ransack forest offices

MIDNAPORE (WB): Angry with loss of crops by a herd of elephants, villagers at Dhadika in West Midnapore district today ransacked offices of the forest department alleging that the department was not helping them.

The police said a range office, a beat office and a community hall of the forest department were ransacked by the villagers of Dhadika under Garbeta police station.

A herd of 25 elephants came to Dhadika last night and destroyed standing crops like potato, mustard, radish, cabbage and cauliflower.

Forest department sources said they had to follow procedure in such cases but the villagers wanted instant action which was not possible.

The herd, originally from the Dalma range, has come to Dhadika from Mayurjharna locality under Belpahari police station of the district, they said.

Villagers complained that another herd of elephants had damaged crops in the same village about a fortnight ago, but no compensation was given till now.

The forest department said the higher authorities had been informed about the incident.

Three forest department personnel, who had been kidnapped by the villagers, had been rescued by the police.