Residents of Krishnapur and nearby areas under the 29-Krishnapur Assembly constituency, located a short distance from the Teliamura sub-division of Khowai district, are living in constant fear due to recurring wild elephant intrusions.
For nearly 70 families in the region, nightfall has become synonymous with anxiety and uncertainty. As soon as daylight fades, the threat of wild “rogue” elephants entering human settlements begins, forcing villagers to stay awake in fear of sudden attacks.
Locals say that despite the issue persisting for years, no permanent solution has been implemented so far. While various temporary measures have been taken by authorities, residents claim that the situation on the ground remains largely unchanged, leaving them to live each day under the constant risk of danger.
The wild elephant raids have already caused extensive damage in the area. Numerous houses have been destroyed, large stretches of farmland have been damaged, and several innocent lives are reported to have been lost over time. However, the lack of effective long-term intervention from the forest department has sparked growing anger among villagers.
Agriculture is the primary livelihood for most families in Krishnapur and surrounding areas. Farmers say their hard work is repeatedly undone as elephant herds enter fields and destroy crops just before harvest, leaving many financially devastated. Some are now even considering abandoning farming altogether.
Residents are asking how long they must continue to live in fear and how many more lives will be lost before meaningful action is taken. They are urging the authorities and the forest department to urgently implement a permanent solution to end this long-standing crisis and ensure both safety and livelihood security for the affected communities.
