A wild tusker went on a rampage and damaged 12 houses at Khas Busty, a locality in Nagrakata block of Jalpaiguri on Sunday night.

Sources said around 12pm, the elephant entered Khas Busty from the adjoining Gorumara National Park and started damaging one house after another.

“It was dark and raining heavily so we could not spot the elephant. We somehow saved ourselves by rushing out of our homes as the jumbo damaged the wall of the houses in search of fodder,” said Bishnumaya Chhetri, one of the affected villagers.

The villagers said the animal returned back to the forest around 4am.

“We have become homeless amid the monsoon season. The administration should help us,” said Mangru Kheria, another resident.

In another incident, a herd of seven elephants entered the Uttar Dhumpara area of Banarhat block, located next to Nagrakata block, from the neighbouring Diana forest on Sunday night.

Though four elephants returned back to the forest at dawn, three others stayed back and stood in a bush.

In the morning, some locals spotted the animals. As the news spread, hundreds of villagers and also people from the adjoining areas reached the spot to catch a glimpse of the elephants.

Teams from the wildlife squad stations in Binnaguri and the Diana forest range went to the spot. Also, a police team from Banarhat reached there to ensure that no one gets closer to the elephants.

“The herd has not caused any damage and is standing in a bush, devouring fodder. We will try to steer them back to the forest in the evening,” said a forester.