The team from Jharkhand including teenage girl Nirmala Tapno that chased away wild jumbos to the forest

Rourkela:  Residents of Rourkela heaved a sigh of relief as the herd of eleven elephants, which had created panic following their entry into the steel city since last two days, was driven out on Sunday night.The herd was finally left in the jungles of North Chirobeda in Saranda, from where they purportedly came.On Saturday night about two hundred people with the help of crackers, fire sticks and drum beats etc. drove the elephants away towards Saranda forest but failed to send them permanently.The jumbos again came back towards Rourkela after crossing Bisra railway track, about 25 km from Rourkela city. Lastly, they settled at Durgapur hills, on the outskirts of the city.

On Sunday night at around 9.30 pm, again 200 people including forest officials, a ten member team to control elephants and villagers drove away the elephant herd from Durgapur hill with fire stick and left the elephants in North Chirobeda forest in Saranda jungle.

During the operation, one Marianas Toppo and her daughter Nirmala Toppo who were hired by forest officials reportedly led the operation and showed courage and their skills to leave the elephant herd in the forest.

“We are happy that no untoward incident occurred during our drive away operation except the jumbos damaged three huts,” said Sanjit Kumar, DFO, Rourkela.

On Saturday wee hours the herd of eleven elephants had strayed into the city triggering panic among the residents.