Ramgarh: Panic gripped devotees, shopkeepers and residents near the Chhinnamastika Temple in Rajrappa on Monday after a herd of wild elephants entered the surrounding forests, prompting the forest department to deploy quick response teams (QRTs) and intensify safety measures on the last Monday of Shravan.Despite the threat, thousands of devotees reached the Rajrappa confluence early in the morning, collected holy water and began their foot march to Sidheshwar Dham and other Shiva temples in Ramgarh district. Senior priest Ajay Panda said more than 50,000 devotees visited the shrine during the day.Forest ranger Bateshwar Paswan said QRTs stayed deployed overnight and guided the herd away from the temple using fire torches, drums and firecrackers. Around 12 to 15 elephants, including calves, have reportedly been moving through the corridor for two days. The district administration directed the temple committee to make regular announcements and install barricades to regulate movement and avert incidents.
