A herd of rampaging wild elephants destroyed paddy crops and rice kept for midday meal in Salboni area of West Midnapore district.
The eight-member herd destroyed rice stored for children's midday meal scheme at Kamarbadi Sisu Siksha Kendra after smashing open doors last night, a forest official said.
It also gobbled rice stored in the courtyard of at least 40 houses and damaged crops in paddy field.
The herd further damaged rare saplings in Amlachoti Herbal Garden before being chased by villagers and wildlife squad, the official said.
The pachyderms, which had strayed from Dalma forest, were still roaming in the area, causing panic among the villagers.
Attempts are on to ward it off towards the Dalma habitat, the official added.
