Naxalbari, 22nd January: Panic gripped parts of Naxalbari after a herd of 14 elephants entered a residential area late at night in search of food. The incident took place in the Bengai Jote locality adjoining the Tukriajhar forest.
As soon as the elephants entered the village, local residents alerted the forest department. Acting on the information, forest personnel from the Tukriajhar range rushed to the spot and, after considerable effort, safely guided the herd back into the forest.
According to forest department sources, the herd had strayed into the area from the Kalabari forest under the Panighata region. Fortunately, no loss of life or property was reported in the incident.
However, increased elephant movement during the winter season has created an atmosphere of fear across the region, with residents remaining on alert to prevent any untoward incidents.