Deogarh: After Niali in Cuttack district, fear of an unknown animal has gripped the people of Chakadihi village under Barkot block in the district following the recovery of carcasses of as many as 12 goats killed in mysterious circumstances on Sunday.
According to reports, a herd of goats had gone to graze in the nearby forest on Saturday. However, most of those did not return. Villagers searched for the animals only to find carcasses of 12 goats and three other animals lying on the ground with multiple injury marks on Sunday. There were unofficial reports of more than 25 more goats going missing.
According to an eyewitness, the goats got panicked after seeing something and ran astray while returning to the village on Saturday evening.
People of the area suspect involvement of any wild animal behind the killings.
On being informed, Barkot forest range officials reached Chakadihi village to take stock of the situation.
As many as two CCTV cameras have been installed to keep a check on the movement of the wild animals.
It is worth mentioning that in 2017, a large number of sheep were killed under mysterious circumstances in Niali area of Cuttack district.
(Edited by Ramakant Biswas)