MITHI: A colony of, what residents of Chhachhro and Dahli talukas claimed to be giant bats, sowed fear and panic in several areas after they hovered in the air and caused damage to crops in fields.

The areas are already infested by locusts and colonies of bats spotted in many villages appeared to be an added nuisance.

The villagers said that the bats were flying in these areas for the last two days and the officials concerned were promptly alerted but without any response.

Some villagers fired shots to scare them away and killed a few in panic.

Activists of some local non-governmental organisations have called for action to get rid of the new menace.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2020