MAWKYRWAT, Sep 29: A herd of wild elephants rampaged through the crops of farmers at 15 Miles village in Ranikor area, South West Khasi Hills, on Saturday night.
Sources said the wild elephants destroyed betel nuts, banana and pineapple cultivation and damaged a house. However, no one was injured.
Leaders of the Ranikor Area Farmers Association (RAFA) including its president Michael Lyngdoh and secretary Kyrmen K Ryja, in a statement issued on Sunday, lamented the inability of the district administration and the Wildlife department to protect the crops and huts of the farmers in Ranikor area which are destroyed time and again by the elephants.
The RAFA leaders recalled that public meetings were conducted last year across Ranikor, wherein it was resolved that they would kill the elephants if the concerned authorities fail to prevent the animals from ravaging their crops and property. However, following an assurance by the district administration and the department concerned, they decided to not resort to such a drastic measure.
