Elephant herd leaves trail of destruction in Meghalaya

With their habitat shrinking, a herd of more than 20 wild elephants passed through villages in the state's North Garo Hills district, leaving a trail of destruction, officials said today.
Villagers of Manikganj and Damas under Mendipathar area of the district were panic-stricken when the herd wandered into the village at around 9 PM last night, destroying thatched houses and few sheds besides crops, they said.
While no one was hurt in the incident, the forest guards and the police who were alerted upon arrival of the pachyderm herd managed to drive them away on time, Inspector General of Police G H P Raju told PTI.

A villager said he heard loud trumpets very close to his house and immediately his whole family ran for cover.
The villagers burst fire crackers before police team could reach the spot to drive them away, acting Deputy Commissioner D D Sangma said.