TV
Panic gripped residents of Jarimula village in Rajnagar block of Odisha’s Kendrapara district after a massive crocodile was spotted repeatedly in a local canal, on Monday. Villagers are alarmed, claiming no action has been taken by the Forest Department so far.
Also Read: ‘Crocodile drags Odisha woman into river’ in front of helpless daughter
According to sources, the reptile, estimated to be nearly 20 feet long, has reportedly been frequenting a particular spot in the canal near Jarimula market for several days. Its repeated movement in the canal has left villagers in a state of panic, fearing potential attacks or danger to both people and livestock.
Eyewitnesses describe the crocodile as ‘gigantic’ and say its presence is affecting daily life in the locality. With people avoiding the canal route out of fear, locals are urging authorities to intervene before any untoward incident occurs.
Earlier in another incident, a crocodile had allegedly attacked a woman and dragged the victim into the river on June 16 in front of her daughter at Paniajora of Koladhia panchayat under Aul police limits of Kendrapara district.
The victim woman identified as Kajal Mohanty of Tanladiha village was washing clothes near the riverbank when the crocodile had emerged from the water and suddenly pulled her in. Her young (13-year-old) daughter, who was standing nearby, had witnessed the shocking scene and rushed to alert nearby villagers and family members to rescue her.
“Kajal is a distant relative of mine. She was taking a bath in the river and washing clothes. Her daughter was standing on the bank. A crocodile suddenly appeared from somewhere and dragged her into the river. Her daughter then alerted the locals and a search operation was initiated,” a relative of the victim, Ananda Chandra Mohanty, had stated.
