Bear Attack: CCF Reaches Kotpad

Koraput: Following the order of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, a three-member team led by Chief Conservator of Forest reached Kotpad in the Koraput district on Monday to investigate the bear attack case in which eight people were killed in the last two days. A tranquilizer team which accompanied CCF is also trying to capture other two bears suspected of moving into the jungle.

A wild bear killed four people on Saturday and four others the following day. The local people, who alleged forest officials' inaction to avoid more deaths, later beat the animal to death.

Expressing condolence for the deceased’s family, CM Naveen Patnaik on Sunday declared Rs 2 lakh compensation for the victim’s kin and directed the CCF to assess the situation on the spot. On the other hand, Congress MP Pradip Majhi held the forest department responsible for the incident. He said such a tragic incident could have been averted if timely action had been taken by the forest officials.