Raipur: Nine schools in some villages under Marwahi area in the Gaurela-Pendra- Marwahi district of Chhattisgarh were closed for two days due to the elephant menace.

The local district education officer (DEO) ordered closure of the nine schools in Nakka and Matiadanda forest ranges under Marwahi forest division for November four and November five to ensure safety of the children in the wake of reports of movement of a herd of 62 elephants in the area.

The local block education officer Sanjay Verma has issued the notice of closure of these schools for two days following a directive to the effect by the DEO.

The forest department has issued alerts to the local forest dwellers to take precautions to avoid attacks from the wild elephants moving in the area.

The villagers were advised not to disturb the elephants and maintain a safe distance from them.

Meanwhile, a viral video showing a man instigating the elephant herd in the Nakka forest has shocked the forest officials who initiated a probe into it.

In the video, the man was seen moving close to the elephant herd gesticulating them to go back to the forest, leaving the tuskers annoyed.

“We will identify the man from the video and take necessary action against him”, a senior forest officer said.