The protest rally led by victims´ struggle committee chanted slogans against Koshi Tappu Wild Life Reserve and District Administration Office. “The locals have been living under the threat of wild elephants for the last two months, but the authorities have turned a blind eye. We have been forced to take to the streets as we have no other option,” said Bharat Prashad Aryal, a protester from Bairawa VDC.[break]
The struggle committee has submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officer Hariraj Pant and Saptari Police Chief Sanjaya Singh Basnet demanding security from wild tuskers.
The protestors have claimed that the elephants have destroyed banana and vegetables planted in around 900 bighas of land and around 200 houses.
The protestors have warned of intensifying their protests if the local administration continues to turn a deaf ear to their plight.
Pant and Basnet have assured the protestors of taking actions within the next two days.
Threatened by elephant attacks, the locals have been guarding their houses by keeping a night vigil.
“To ward off the elephants, we beat up tins all night,” said Aryal.
“Every moment we live in fear. We have had sleepless nights for the last two months,” said another local Birendra Majhi of Bhardaha VDC-5.
Rajkumar Sada of Bhardaha VDC-5, whose house was trampled down by a group of wild elephants on Wednesday night, has been sheltering his family in his dilapidated house.
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