Elephants Run Amok in Tundi, House Damaged and Grain Destroyed

Dhanbad: Panic gripped parts of the Tundi block in Dhanbad district after a herd of wild elephants went on a rampage late Thursday night. The herd, consisting of five elephants including a calf, reportedly entered West Tundi from the Pirtand area of Giridih district and reached Dalugora village via Dandatand.

Soon after entering the village, the elephants began damaging residential structures. According to local residents, the house of Dalugora villager Ramlal Murmu was severely damaged. The elephants consumed the paddy stored inside the house and scattered the remaining grain.

The herd broke through a wall and entered the house while Ramlal Murmu’s wife Chandoli Murmu and their three daughters—Sanjoti Kumari, Sevanti Kumari, and Samita Kumari—were sleeping inside. Fortunately, all of them escaped unharmed. Ramlal Murmu was away from home at the time due to work-related reasons.

After receiving information about the incident, villagers rushed to the spot with torches and, after sustained efforts, managed to drive the elephants out of the village towards the China Pahari area, providing temporary relief to residents.

On Friday morning, BJP Tundi mandal president Govind Tudu visited the affected family and collected details of the incident. He contacted forest department officials and the district administration, demanding immediate compensation for the affected family. He also sought the supply of food grains and warm clothing as immediate relief.

Fear continues to prevail in the area due to frequent elephant movement and repeated incidents of destruction. Villagers have urged the forest department to intensify monitoring and implement a permanent solution to prevent such incidents in the future.