Bhubaneswar: A herd of around 50 wild elephants strayed into Naikudi village under Basta police limits in Balasore district and destroyed swathes of farm land on Monday night.
The villagers alleged that the pachyderms have ruined the standing crops as well as harvested crops in the thresh yards.
It is believed that the elephants are heading towards village area due to forest fire in Similipal forest.
However, the farmers alleged that the elephants stayed in the farm till late night, eating the ripe paddy crop and harvested crops.
The farmers demanded the government to compensate the loss.
The forest team arrived at the scene at night and drove away the jumbos back into the forest after an hour-long operation.
Forest officials said that they kept a close watch on the movement of the animals who are now hiding inside the forest. They have assured to intensify the night patrolling in the locality.
