Jamshedpur: Residents of several villages across East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts are spending sleepless nights as elephant herds continue to venture into human settlements after sunset.Movement of elephant herds has been reported in Chandil, Ichagarh and Kukru blocks in Seraikela-Kharsawan, Chakulia and Baharagora in East Singhbhum, and Jagannathpur in West Singhbhum districts in recent days.In Ichagarh, a herd of 13 elephants went on a rampage on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday in Rangamati, Chhimtia and nearby villages.Forester Kailash Chandra Mahato said, “A herd has been moving between Kutam forest and nearby villages, including Talapidi, Bistatand, Dumra and Situ, over the past four days. A Quick Response Team (QRT) has been deployed to drive the elephants back into the forest. Six elephants have already been pushed towards the Purulia forest area.”Two elephants strayed into Khairbani village and its adjoining areas in Chakulia block on Sunday and devoured standing crops. In West Singhbhum district, a lone elephant strayed into a temple garden in Jaintgarh village on the state’s border with Odisha. An elephant entered a Food Corporation of India godown and a rice mill in Chautia recently. “Multiple QRTs have been deployed to drive three elephants, which are camping in the area, and drive back into the forest,” Chakulia range forester Sujit Hansda said.
