Shillong, Jun 25: Wild elephants wreaked havoc in Rajaju village, South West Khasi Hills, over two days at the start of the week.
The herd destroyed the belongings of villagers and also damaged a lower primary school in the village, which falls under Ranikor civil sub-division.
The door and windows of the school building and other materials like tables, chairs and desks were broken, the books were also destroyed and staff quarters were damaged by the elephants.
Villagers are seeking aid from the authorities to get them back on their feet after the rampage by the pachyderms.
Meanwhile, in response to recent elephant attacks in Chirakatta village, Mawsynram MLA Ollan Singh Suin has called on the state government to provide immediate relief to the affected families.
Reports indicate that approximately 12 to 13 houses have suffered partial damage, forcing residents to seek shelter elsewhere.
Suin, accompanied by officials from the wildlife protection department and other government representatives, visited the village on Wednesday to assess the damage firsthand.
The MLA said the damage was caused by a herd of elephants that has been moving through border villages in the area. The herd originally consisted of five elephants, but one was electrocuted about a week ago. The remaining four elephants continue to roam through nearby localities, damaging property and creating fear among residents.
During the visit, wildlife officials demonstrated techniques designed to deter elephants from entering residential areas, such as burning dried chillies to produce smoke that repels the creatures.
Suin emphasised the importance of similar awareness and training programs in other villages prone to human-elephant conflict to reduce fear and promote safer coexistence.
He said, “Elephants are generally not aggressive unless provoked. People need to know how to manage encounters to avoid conflicts.”
Expressing concern over delays in compensation for victims, despite prior reports on the damage being submitted last year, Suin urged the minister in charge of revenue and disaster management to expedite assistance and formally include such incidents under disaster management provisions to ensure timely relief for affected families
