Niali: Panic in the area over death of sheep refused to die down as one more lamb was found dead in similar style by suspected 'mysterious' animal at Gobindapada village here in Cuttack district even as the people spent sleepless night to trace the killer.
Three sheep were also injured in attack by suspected wild animal at different places in the block, reports said.
The villagers staged a road blockade on Niali-Phulnakhara road with the dead animal demanding compensation. Vehicular traffic was disrupted for quite sometime on the road due to the strike.
Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray has directed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) to take immediate action for tracing out the killer. “You enter Bhanragada forest with more forces and locate the hideouts and holes. Kindly talk to the PCCF and do it today without any delay. I wil; l also talk to the PCCF,” the Minister asked the DFO over phone.
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Expressing resentment on the matter, Routray told DFO, “How long people will wait? People have started saying that the killer is a man as we are unable to trace the animal. This is too much.”
A team of officials from Nandankanan led by assistant director KL Purohit also visited the villages and reviewed the situation.
While Forest Department expedited night patrolling in the villages with the help of local residents, the reason behind the death of dozens of sheep is yet to be ascertained. Installation of CCTV cameras and laying of traps have not yet been done in the vulnerable areas as per the announcement of the PCCF, reports said.
Residents of Bagalsahi, Bilasuni, Tarabana, Lekhanpur and Kantapada villages under Niali block launched a search operation last night to catch the ‘mysterious’ creature that has been killing the sheep and devouring the livers. OTV team also took stock of the situation along with local people in these villages last night.
From the pug marks, Forest department suspected the animal to be wolves. It has advised the sheep rearers to keep their animals in well protected sheds keeping lights on at night.
Later in the evening, a youth, identified as Salim Uddin of Majhikhanda village under Niali block, alleged of being attacked by an unidentified animal. He said that the animal fled away after injuring him.