The Asiatic elephants destroyed four homes in Karbi Anglong village, in Assam State, on Friday night, said a resident, Rimi Marak.
“The herd was just too large,” he said. “The villagers could do nothing.” A farmer, his wife and their 5-year-old daughter were killed, he said.
The herd left a forest reserve in search of food nearly two weeks ago, said M. K. Dhar, a state forestry officer. Forest guards had tried in vain to drive the elephants back using firecrackers and lighting torches, he said.