Keonjhar: In a tragic incident, a woman was killed and her husband narrowly escaped following a bear attack near Banachakulia village under Ghatgaon Forest Division in Keonjhar district on Saturday.
The deceased has been identified as Chami Munda, while her husband is Matai Munda.
According to reports, the couple had gone to their paddy fields early in the morning to perform rituals on the occasion of ‘Gamha Purnima’—a festival observed for a good harvest. While Chami was in a field adjacent to the forest, Matai was working in a nearby field at some distance.
Suddenly, three wild bears reportedly emerged from the forest and attacked Chami. Upon hearing her cries, Matai rushed to her aid but was confronted by another bear. In panic, he fled the scene and alerted the villagers.
The locals immediately rushed to the spot, rescued Chami, and admitted her to the Ghatgaon Community Health Centre (CHC). Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries during treatment.
On being informed, officials from the Ghatgaon Forest Department arrived at the health centre and initiated an investigation into the incident.
Forest officials have confirmed that government assistance will be provided to the victim’s family as per existing wildlife compensation guidelines.
