Woman injured in croc attack

Kendrapara: A 55-year-old woman was injured when an estuarine crocodile pounced upon her at a bathing ghat at Kharinasi village in Odisha's Kendrapara district, triggering fresh bout of man-crocodile conflict.

Gitarani Das is undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital here with multiple wounds.

However, she is stated to be out of danger, forest officials said.

The mishap took place yesterday afternoon when the victim was washing utensils at the bathing ghat in Gobari rivulet.

The crocodile after attacking her was trying to drag the victim into deep water but locals, on hearing her scream, rushed to her rescued, they said.

At least three man-croc conflict incidents have been reported in Mahakalpada area in recent months.

The areas close to the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary are presently encountering man-animal conflict.

Human interference in their habitation corridors turns the animals violent.

Forest personnel, however, are of the view that people are exposing themselves to croc attack by venturing into croc-infested water bodies.