Rupsa: The administration imposed prohibitory orders under CrPc Section 144 in Lachhanmunda and Nimadiha forests under Rupsa police limits in Balasore district after a bear, which mauled two persons, entered the forests Friday.
People of Guabania and Karasahi near the forests are in a state of panic.
Purnachandra Mohant (55) of Lachhmankhunta and Samray Soren (45) of Guabania were hospitalized in critical condition after being mauled by the furry animal.
Mohant was attacked by the bear when he was at a pond while Soren was mauled by the animal when he was in forest to collect Mahua flowers.
Angry people had been chasing the animal throughout the forest, but with little success.
Gadapada sarpanch reported the matter to forest officials and Basta additional tehsildar Sushant Kumar Patnaik.
Basta additional tehsildar ( as magistrate), RI Prabhuram Kast, Chandipur range officer Prafulla Mallick, Betonati range officer Basant Mohanty, Balasore forester Anwar Khan and other forest officials rushed to the spot. They warned the people against entering the forests through public address system. PNN
