Rourkela, Feb. 10: Residents are living in fear with a herd of elephants roaming around villages some 10km from the city.

The herd had come extremely close to the city. It crossed the river Koel and reached Hamirpur, an up and coming residential area. It is situated near Kalyan Ray College that is close to Ispat General Hospital.

"We reached the place and drove the herd away a little after midnight," said local forest range officer P.K. Dhal. In one case, the Bisra residents blocked the driving path of the herds because of which there was tension between public and the police. while they were going to Bangiriposhi bus stand to deliver the tusk by the officials of Betnoti wildlife range.

The accused identified as Genduri Hao, 28, of Baniabasha under Khunta police station limits was forwarded to court. He was wanted after a leopard skin was seized in March."The accused is a hardcore poacher and earlier he was arrested in a poaching case . He was wanted in case of the seizure of a leopard skin," said Betnoti range officer Basant Mohanty.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SIBDAS KUNDU IN BARIPADA