Family of man killed in bear attack receives Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia

Nabarangpur: An ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh was announced for the family of the man, who was mauled to death by a sloth bear near a village forest at Pharsaguda under Kodinga panchayat in the district on May 2.

Besides, the family received Rs 40,000  from forest department, Rs 10,000 from Red Cross fund, Rs 20,000 from the National Social Welfare Fund and Rs 2,000 under the state-sponsored Harishchandra Yojana.

The district collector has also assured to provide a house to the family of the deceased under the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana.

Earlier on May 2, forest department officials had rushed to Pharsaguda after being informed that a wild bear had mauled a man.They were told that locals as well as the family of deceased Prabhu Bhatra was unable to recover his body as the wild animal did not budge from the spot.

Bhatra, a truck driver of Daleiguda in Papadahandi block had got down from his two wheeler to attend nature’s call when he was suddenly attacked by the sloth bear leading to his death on the spot.

Later, Nabaragpur Forest Division officials had to tranquilise the bear in order to recover the body. The unconscious animal was then shifted to the forest office premises where it died on May 4.