Latehar (Jharkhand), April 21 (IANS) In a tragic incident of human-wildlife conflict, two women were killed and another seriously injured after a wild bison attacked them in Jharkhand’s Latehar district, officials said on Tuesday.

The incident took place in the Gurikaram forest under the Chhipadohar western range of the Barwadih police station area. Forest Department and police personnel recovered the mutilated bodies of the two women on Tuesday.

According to officials, the deceased have been identified as Shilamaniya Devi, 64, of Dorma Tola in Morwai village and Shanti Kunwar, 50, of Jodri Tola. They had ventured into the nearby forest on Monday to collect mahua when the wild bison suddenly attacked them. The assault was so severe that both women died on the spot.

When the women failed to return home by evening, family members launched a search, following which their bodies were found inside the forest the next day.

It is reported that the same aggressive bison also attacked another woman in the forested area of the Lath region, leaving her severely injured. However, villagers present nearby managed to rescue her, and she is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Following the series of attacks, panic has spread across the Barwadih and Chhipadohar areas. A joint team of the police and Forest Department inspected the spot after receiving information about the incident.

Forest officials expressed condolences to the bereaved families and provided immediate financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each. They assured that the remaining compensation amount of Rs 3.5 lakh would be disbursed after completion of official formalities.

Local residents have demanded that the administration ensure better safety measures for villagers living near wildlife habitats and expedite the payment of full compensation to the affected families.

Meanwhile, the police have sent the bodies to Latehar Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination.

–IANS

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