The intrusion of wild elephants is going on recklessly in Sherpur border. That's why people living in Garo Hills of Jhenaigati Upazila in Sherpur bordering Meghalaya of India are always remaining in fear. However, BNP has distributed search lights and two loud whistles among 45 volunteer groups of Kansha and Nalkura Unions, the most affected of these upazilas, to prevent the rampage of wild elephants.
Herds of elephants basically run to safety when they see lights and loud noises. Keeping the matter in mind on Tuesday afternoon, the member of the central executive committee of BNP and former Member of Parliament (MP) Mahmudul Haque Rubel handed over these items to Naokuchi area of the upazila.
Mahmudul Haque Rubel said on the occasion that elephant rampage in this area has now become a disaster. During the paddy and fruit season, elephant herds come down from the hills to the locality almost every day in search of foods. Herds of elephants trample and destroy the cultivated paddy fields on the hill slopes. People are also dying due to elephant attacks.
He said, “People now want to escape from the attacks of wild elephants. If the BNP government is formed in future through fair elections, permanent steps will be taken to prevent elephant attacks and ensure the coexistence of elephant and human.”
According to upazila BNP sources, herds of wild elephants have started coming down to the plains in search of foods in different areas of Garo Hills. The herd of more than half a hundred elephants with cubs is disoriented due to hunger and eating the bark of trees in the hills. They’re also coming to locality. Along with the damage to people's houses, the crops of ripe and unripe rice and vegetables are being eaten and trampled.
Hence, the locals are worried about protecting their lives and crops. They are keeping vigil at night to prevent elephants from intruding the localities. Under the guidance of BNP leader Mahmudul Haque Rubel, 45 committees with 10 members have been formed to prevent wild elephant attacks and terror with local volunteers and party leaders of Nalkura and Kangsha Union. Apart from distribution of search lights and loud whistles among the volunteers of these committees, kerosene oil has been arranged for lighting torches. At the same time, one emergency service center has been opened.
UP chairman and president of Kansha BNP Ataur Rahman presided over the distribution of these goods to prevent the rampage of wild elephants.
President of Sherpur Press Club Kakan Reza, upazila BNP convener Shahjahan Akand, joint convener Abdul Mannan, UP chairman and president of Nalkura Union Md Rukunuzzaman, upazila Jubo Dol convener Masum Billah spoke on the occasion.
A large number of hill people including members of the affected minority groups were present on the occasion.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
