As the sun goes down, a herd of at least 30-40 elephants invade residential areas at Bogajuli village along the Indo-Bhutan border under Kumarikata forest range, Baksa district triggering panic among the villagers, the locals said. Though a fear psychosis has gripped the local residents, these wild jumbos are seen having a field day along the Rangia-Bhutan international border.

Communication often comes to a halt for long hours as the wild jumbos take over the roads. This wild herds reportedly came down from the mountainous Bhutan valley in search of food.

“There is a wild herd of elephants who often invade the nearby villages and take shelter in the jungle. They enter the farmlands, eat crops and damage the houses. Due to such invasion, a few of the farmers have given up paddy and vegetable cultivation,” said a local.

The local villagers further added that passers-by along the National Highway stop to catch a glimpse of the jumbos and wait for them to clear the roads to avoid any accident.

Photo: Abhijit Talukdar