Bhanjanagar: In yet another case of man-animal conflict, locals beat a bear to death after it killed a cowherd and injured two others at Bhurudupali under Ghumusar (north) forest division in Ganjam district Monday.
The deceased was identified as Santosh Gouda, 30, of Bhurudupali. His brother Kapilash Gouda and friend Rinku Mallick suffered critical injuries in the bear attack and were rushed to Bhanjanagar sub-divisional hospital. After preliminary treatment, they were shifted to Berhampur-based MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
Tarsingh IIC Anirudh Muduli, Galeri outpost officer AK Tripathy and Galeri forest ranger reached the village and took stock of the situation. Galeri outpost police registered a case and sent the body for post-mortem.
According to sources, Kapilash returned to the village Sunday evening after grazing his cattle and other farm animals in a nearby forest. While counting the animals and putting them back in their shed, he came to know that two cows and four goats were missing from the herd.
Kapilash along with his younger brother Santosh and friend Rinku went to search for the missing animals in the wee hours of Monday. Santosh and Kapilash went in one direction while Rinku went in another direction.
The siblings came face-to-face with a bear that pounced on them. On hearing their screams, Rinku rushed to the spot and managed to save Kapilash while the animal mauled Santosh to death.
With severe injuries, the two ran back to the village and informed the locals who stormed to the forest armed with lathis and surrounded the animal that was feasting on Santosh’s remains. The angry locals then beat the animal to death.
Tension prevailed in the locality after forest officials arrived. The villagers gheraoed the officials demanding compensation to the bereaved family.
Forest officials seized the carcass and sent it for post-mortem. PNN
