Jhapa, July 20

Wild elephants have unleashed terror in the southern part of Bhadrapur Municipality, Jhapa of late.

As the beasts crossing over from the Indian side have started damaging crops and houses, people are forced to stay awake during the night for safety.

A few days ago, three houses in Barpipal Chowk, Ward No 10 of the municipality, were damaged by rogue elephants that had strayed into human settlement from the Indian part of the forest across the border. “There is no way we can sleep in the face of this threat,” said a local Yadav Prasad Bhattarai.

Further, Bhattarai urged the authorities concerned to make a long-term plan to end the tusker menace. “For now, areas under district forest office are being patrolled. This helps us chase away the elephants in case they enter our villages, but we need a long-term solution,” he added.