Angul: Panic gripped Chhendipada forest range here as the tusker, which had so far killed 30 people for the past five years, got back in the area last week.

The tusker has been moving in the forest areas of Athmallick, Angul, Chhendipada, Kaniha, Talcher and Deogarh for the past five years. Forest department sources said it had killed as many as 30 people so far. Besides, it has damage several houses and crops.

"It does not fall into the forest officials' trap. It attacks people finding them alone and runs away into the forest swiftly," said a forest official.

Creating havoc in the Chhendipada and Kaniha forest ranges and killing three people, it had left Chhendipada in last October. Now, it has returned again. Forest officials believe that it had slipped into the forest of Rairakhole of Sambalpur district.

Though the elephant has not killed anyone so far, it has destroyed houses on Jamunali and its adjoining village.

Last week, a team headed by OUAT teacher Idramani Nath came here, but they also could not tame the animal.

Local forest officials are monitoring its movement.

"We are monitoring its movement. At present, the elephant is roaming in the Devnagari forest. It normally ventures out in the night. We are trying to drive it away," said local ranger Durga Sahu.