NewsKarnataka-Mysore

Mysore: A herd of wild elephants which  made an appearance on the Vaddambal-Heggandur road in Hunasur taluk, later barged into the nearby fields and caused widespread destruction of jowar and ragi crops on December 21, Saturday morning.

Though forest officials and police personnel rushed to the spot and  tried to chase away the elephant herd, their efforts went in vain. Eyewitnesses said   there were a total nine elephants of which six fled towards the forest when forest department personnel chased them by bursting  crackers and firing in the air. However, three of the  elephants are still said to be camping near the  Hairige Doddakere in the village.

Shivaram, Range Forest Officer, forest department personnel as well as police personnel are camping at the spot. The forest officials said they will try to chase away the elephants  once darkness sets in and all farmers are safe inside their house.

It is learnt, the crops in around 10 acres land owned by Kempegowda, Beregowda, Sannegowda, Shivaramegowda, Ugre Growda, Basamma and Lingegowda have been damaged. The farmers also complained that their fencing and pump set pipes too have been crushed by the elephants.