Nuapada: A woman was allegedly killed by a Royal Bengal Tiger in the Sunabeda forest sanctuary in Nupada district Sunday night. Since the incident residents of Jalamadei village under Komna police limits have been living in fear. Most of them are not even willing to step out of their homes. The deceased has been identified was identified as Sanamati Barik (65) of Jalamadei village within Komna police limits of the district.
Residents of the village said Sanamati had gone to the backyard of her house to collect firewood when she was attacked by the tiger which dragged her away. When Sanamati did not return for a lengthy period, her family members launched a search for her. They could not find her. Later Monday morning, her half-eaten body was found inside the jungle about a kilometre away from her house.
Villagers then informed Forest department officials who reached the spot. Initially there were doubts as to whether Sanamati had been killed by a leopard or a tiger. However, after investigation, officials said that the injury marks on Sanamati’s body points towards a tiger attack.
From the pattern of injuries and the way flehs has been eaten, it seems the Sanamati was attacked by a Royal Bengal Tiger. A leopard could not have inflicted such deep wounds,,” said Sunabeda wildlife forester Siba Prasad Khamari.
Officials have asked villagers to remain alert and stay indoors at night. They added that efforts are on to locate the animal as soon as possible. It should also be stated here that sighting of tigers at the Sundabeda sanctuary rarely happens. So Forest department officials are wondering as to where the tiger may have come from.