Tension runs high in Bondamunda area following clashes between locals and forest officials over an elephant drive out mission in Jagda panchayat, near National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Rourkela, Odisha.
Four platoons of forces have been deployed at the spot to avoid any untoward incident, said a police official.
The herd of elephants had intruded the place at about 5 PM on Saturday. Even though the drive out mission started smoothly; under impression that the forest officials are leaving the spot, the villagers suddenly turned violent and pelted stones at the officials.
“When the elephants where moving into the village we climbed into our vehicle to give them protection, but the villagers thought we were running away and started attacking us. They pelted stones at us and broke our vehicle and injured forest officers,” said a forest officer.
Notably, the elephant herd consisting of two adults and two calves had entered the town near National Institute of Technology (NIT) last evening,which is part of the elephant corridor.
Villagers attacked the cops and forest officials injuring Bondamunda police ASI and two forest officials. The police had to lathi charge to disperse the angry mob and 10 locals were also injured in the clash, sources added.