The forest department is to have the services of a kumki (tame) elephant to push back to the jungles three elephants which have been creating panic for the last one week in Periyanaickenpalayam and its surroundings.

The kumki was brought today to guide the elephants to the forests. They have been moving around a 10-km radius in the rural limits, for the last one week, damaging crops and ration materials from a shop.

Efforts to scare them away to the jungle by bursting crackers failed and one of the pachyderms attacked and killed an 85-year old woman and injured another early yesterday.

The department brought kumki Sujaya this morning and officials have begun operations.