BHADRAPUR: A perennial occurrence of wild elephant raids has terrified the locals of then Chandragadhi VDC -1, 3 and 9 in the district.

The problem has forced the locals to the extent of staying wide-awake throughout nights due to the rampaging elephants. The tuskers straying from nearby Indian forests enter the villages and wreck havoc in the villages.

The occurrence of elephant raids has shifted to the villages from Bahundangi in eastern Jhapa, which used to face such problem, but now free of it with the authorities having taken necessary steps, local people said.

A herd of five pachyderms that are taking refuge in Chandragadhi community forest enters the village in the evening, attacks locals and destroys crops and houses, the locals said.

Two days ago, a wild elephant entered the village and destroyed three houses at Bhadrapur-10, said local social worker Yadav Prasad Bhattarai.

He said although a patrol team from the District Forest Office with the help of the locals has been helping to ward off the elephants, but in vain. He demanded that a long term plan be devised to control the menace.