Hazaribag: Panic gripped villages in the district’s Tatijharia block on Sunday after a herd of around 24 elephants trampled paddy fields and blocked the 17 Mile-Godhiya road, a key link to NH-522, disrupting traffic to several areas.The herd, which had damaged paddy and maize crops in Bedmakka, Jharpo and Ghughliya on Saturday night, moved towards Godhiya on Sunday morning and destroyed more standing crop. By evening, several elephants emerged from the forest and occupied the road, cutting access to Godhiya, Ghughliya, Bharajo, Jharpo, Narayanpur, Bedmakka, Khaira, Ichak and Barkatha.The blockade left commuters stranded and triggered fear among residents, who stayed indoors and avoided the forest route. Forest personnel Vidya Bhushan and Sanjeet Ravidas said teams were trying to steer the animals back into the forest using crackers, torches and drums.Officials asked residents of nearby villages not to approach the herd or gather along the road. They also advised people against stepping out alone at night and urged farmers to remain alert while visiting fields.Residents said repeated elephant movement during the peak agricultural season had already damaged crops and houses across the block. Farmers demanded immediate compensation and stronger measures to prevent the herd from returning to fields and settlements in the coming days and avert further crop losses.
