Rajganj, 28th January: Panic spread in Murgivita village under Shikarpur Gram Panchayat of Rajganj block late Tuesday night as two elephants entered potato fields, destroying crops. Local residents were awakened around 2:30 am by the sounds of the elephants and the forest department siren.
On seeing the elephants roaming the area and entering the fields, villagers alerted authorities. Forest department personnel from Belakoba Range arrived promptly and, after considerable effort, managed to drive the elephants away.
Farmer Nikunj Das reported significant damage to his potato crops, saying it is difficult for a day-to-day earning farmer to bear such losses. He has formally demanded government compensation and financial assistance.