Suryap

Angul: After a resident of Tainsi village was allegedly killed by tigress 'Sundari', tension prevailed near Kanjara Mundasahi on the Angul-Sambalpur National Highway-55 today. The villagers torched a police vehicle and pelted stones at police and senior government officials demanding compensation for family of the deceased and relocation of tigress Sundari.

As per reports, Angul Sub Collector, Tehsildar and Angul Inspector-in-charge (IIC) were injured in the stone pelting by agitating villagers.

Later to disperse the crowd, police resorted to lathicharge and lobbing of teargas shells.

"There is a panic in the village after the tiger killed my brother," Rohit Sahu, a relative of the deceased stated.

Expressing similar views, Satkosia Khyatigrasta Praja Surakshya Samiti, member Manas Pal said, "We demand immediate relocation of the tigress and adequate compensation to next of kin of the deceased."

"The Forest personnel are afraid of entering the villages in Satkosia as residents are angered over the presence of the tigress near  the human habitation. I believe the Forest staff may have some plans to address the issue," said Jadunath Hansdah, Additional SP, Angul.

Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Bijay Ketan Patnaik said, “There may be various reasons due to which the tigress has not been able to adapt herself and is repeatedly moving towards human habitation. One of which might be, when the animal was in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, it used to stray into villages and it is doing the same here. Another reason might be that the tigress is yet to get any male partner.”

On September 12, Sundari had allegedly killed a woman at Hatibari village under Tikarpada Forest Range here. Later, the tigress was also claimed to have killed a bull of the village.

Following protest, the forest department tried to chase away Sundari to the core area of Satkosia Tiger Reserve. However, the big cat herself moved into the core area of the jungle.

scrollToTop