Jeypore: At least three farmers Wednesday sustained critical injuries after they were attacked by bears in separate incidents in this block of Koraput district.
The incidents have triggered panic in the areas and the villagers are scared to go outdoor, a report said.
According to the report, a pack of three bears pounced on Yudhisthir (46), a farmer of Gadapadar village under the block, when he was on his way to his farmland in the morning.
The farmer screamed for help and managed to take cover behind a bush. Some passersby came to his rescue and the wild animals left the scene. However, Yudhisthir suffered grievous injuries on his back and head.
The villagers first rushed him to the district headquarters hospital in an auto rickshaw as the 108-ambulance service didn’t turn up, alleged the residents. Later, he was shifted to Sahid Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput as his condition turned critical.
In the other incident, Arjun Santa of the same village came face to face with a bear when he was on the way to his farm. He fought with the animal for a while but had to escape from the spot to save his life. He was admitted to the DHH after suffering critical injuries on his hands and feet.
Syam Pangi, a man from Boipariguda, was also admitted to the DHH after a bear attacked him when he was collecting firewood in a nearby forest. He received multiple injuries on his body.
People of nearby areas were in a state of panic after the incidents and demanded compensation for the victims as well as trapping of the wild animals by the forest department.