post news network
Sambalpur, May 10: In yet another incident of man-animal conflict, a woman died and two others were rendered critical after they were attacked by a wild boar Sunday. The deceased was identified as Anusuya Dehury (40) of Gariabahal village under Jamankira block of the district.
The injured women were Kundalata Sahu (45) and Labangalata Pradhan (28) of Paniposhi village under Jujumara police limits. They were admitted to district headquarters hospital.
Sources said Kundalata suffered injuries in her head, hands and legs while Labangalata fractured her legs in the attack. Though locals
informed forest and kendu leaf departments, no officer visited the spot till this report was filed. Family members and villagers performed last rites of Anusuya. The inordinate delay in arrival of officials at the village angered the villagers.
The incident took place when the three women went to Betajharan forest to collect kendu leaves at around 8 am Sunday. While they were plucking kendu leaves, a wild boar suddenly appeared and attacked them, villagers said .
Kundalata and Labangalata managed to save their lives from the animal but Anusuya could not
escape death as the boar attacked on her head. She died on the spot due to excessive bleeding, villagers said.
Villagers later contacted Padiabahal forest department ranger, forester of Meghapal as well as Sambalpur divisional forest officer several times. However, neither the forest department officials nor kendu leaf personnel visited the village after the incident, triggering resentment among locals.
Forest department officials, however, said they were not informed about the incident.
“I have not received any information about the death of a woman in wild boar attack,” Sambalpur DFO Santosh Joshi said. He, however, assured governmental assistance would be provided to victims as per provisions of law after an
inquiry.
Chief conservator of forest (CCF) Shishir Kumar Acharya of Sambalpur Division said his department would probe to find the reason behind delay in an inquiry into the boar attack incident. Necessary action would be taken against those found guilty, he said.
Acharya said `3 lakh compensation would be given to family members of the deceased after an investigation. Family members of the injured would also be given financial assistance, he added.
