Dakshin Latabari (Alipurduar) May 8: More than 300 villagers demonstrated in front of the Kalchini block development office this afternoon after waiting in vain for relief for several hours.

Nearly 250 houses in Dakshin Latabari were badly damaged by a thunderstorm last night. This afternoon, a heavy rain lashed the area.

However, the villagers could not meet the Kalchini block development officer as she is on leave. Most of the employees at the block office were also not present, having gone for training for the panchayat elections.

“More than 1,000 people have been left without a roof over their head. We will block all roads in Kalchini if relief material do not reach us by tonight,” said Dalim Rava, the panchayat member of Dakshin Latabari.

R. Alice Vez, the subdivisional officer of Alipurduar, said: “I have instructed the joint block development officer to look into the matter.” The officer did meet the villagers later in the evening.

Dinabandhu Barman, a resident of Dakshin Latabari, said the villagers were living in fear of rampaging wild elephants. “There is no electricity in the area, and the animals, which are usually scared of lights, can cause a lot of trouble tonight.”