Forest official injured in bear attack in Kokrajhar

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, January 13: Sensation prevailed in Alufarm area near Gaurang Tiniali in Kokrajhar since the last three days as a wild bear created havoc after attacking the villagers. The wild bear on Wednesday seriously hurt a forest official on duty.

The wild bear came to Alufarm forest village on January 10  and attacked one Gautam Brahma (25) at around 2 pm. Brahma hailed from Bogajuli of Baksa district and was in his relative’s house. On January 12, the wild bear attack another villager-Hemanta Basumatary of Pakriguri, Deborgaon at around 12.30 pm and he was hospitalized. In a fresh attack, one Nilmoni Brahma, a grade-I Forester of Khwdwmtola working in fixed pay at Gaurang Range was seriously injured today at around 10.30 am. He was admitted at RN Brahma Civil Hospital, Kokrajhar in a critical condition. He suffered serious injury in his head and hands due to the attack of the wild bear.

Sources from the forest department said the department officials had been trying to capture the wild bear which was hiding in the jungle. The department has called an expert from Mas tiol Park today. Sources also said they had used tranquilizer but failed to capture the bear. The DFO, Wildlife Division, Raghuth Boro said the continuous movement of the villagers in the hideout of the bear had created problems to lay trap for the wild bear. He also said the matter had been forwarded to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden Assam for taking necessary arrangement including sending of JCB, elephant and required expenditure.