Rajganj, January 28 (Siliguri Chronicle) – Panic gripped Murgivita village under the Shikarpur Gram Panchayat in Rajganj block late on Tuesday night after two elephants entered nearby potato fields and damaged standing crops.
According to local residents, the incident occurred around 2:30 am, when villagers were woken by the noise made by the elephants and the siren of the forest department. The animals were seen roaming through the area before moving into the agricultural fields.
Villagers immediately informed the authorities. Forest department personnel from the Belakoba Range reached the spot and, after sustained efforts, succeeded in driving the elephants away from the village.
Farmer Nikunj Das said his potato crop suffered heavy losses in the incident. He expressed concern that it is extremely difficult for daily wage-dependent farmers to absorb such damage and has appealed to the government for compensation and financial support.
