Vikash Sharma

Angul: After a lot of hue and cry and violent protests, Angul Collector on Monday sought intervention of the Odisha government for immediate shifting of tigress Sundari in view of the law and order situation arising after the death of an elderly person and a bull allegedly in attacks by the big cat in the past two days.

In a letter to the additional chief secretary, Forest and Environment department; Angul collector, Anil Kumar Samal highlighted the serious law and order situation following the alleged attack by the tigress on October 21 in which an elderly person was killed.

The local Satkosia Kshyatigrasta Praja Surakshya Samiti is vehemently opposing the tiger relocation programme and resorting to various agitation and violence.

Though the district administration has been taking all out efforts to convince people regarding the project, the recent unfortunate incident has aggravated the situation.

“As there is an apprehension of further deterioration in the law and order if any such incident occurs in future, I request to take immediate steps to tranquilise, capture and relocate the tigress elsewhere for the safety of people and also maintain peace and tranquillity in the area,” the collector wrote in his letter.

It is pertinent to mention that palpable tension prevailed at Baghamunda village after a bullock was found dead today. The village is barely a few kilometres away from Tainsi where the tigress had allegedly killed a man yesterday.

Meanwhile, a four-member team comprising experts and doctors from Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) and Nandankanan Zoological Park along with gun assistants reached Angul from Bhubaneswar yesterday night to catch the tigress and take it back to the enclosure.

However, the team has not been able to visit the spot due to the prevailing tension in the area.

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