Wild Tusker Fear In Odisha Village, Forest Officers Locked Up By Locals

Athgarh: Angry over inaction of authorities in dealing with regular incidents of human-elephant conflicts in the area, residents of Talagadi village under Athgarh forest division in Cuttack district locked up seven forest officials for three hours in a house.

Irate locals alleged that the forest officials did not show slightest interest in chasing away the wild tuskers despite repeated requests.

They further added that, the pachyderms have been damaging farm lands inflicting heavy losses to the farmers. The tuskers have also injured 6 buffaloes in the village.

When the forest officials turned up in the village today, angry villagers locked them up in a house, demanding necessary compensation for the loss caused by the elephants.

The forest officials were still locked up while this report came in. Further reports to follow.