Wild Bison Attack Claims Two Lives in Jharkhand’s Latehar, Villages on Edge

Latehar — A deadly encounter between humans and wildlife has left two women dead and another critically injured in Jharkhand’s Latehar district, triggering fear among residents in nearby areas.

The incident occurred in the Gurikaram forest, which falls under the Chhipadohar western range in the Barwadih police station limits. Authorities from the Forest Department and local police recovered the mutilated bodies of the victims on Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as 64-year-old Shilamaniya Devi from Dorma Tola in Morwai village and 50-year-old Shanti Kunwar of Jodri Tola. Both women had gone into the forest on Monday to collect mahua flowers when a wild bison suddenly attacked them. The assault proved fatal, and both died at the scene.

When the women did not return home by evening, their families grew concerned and began searching for them. Their bodies were discovered deep inside the forest the following day.

In a related incident, the same aggressive animal is believed to have attacked another woman in the Lath region, leaving her seriously injured. She was rescued by villagers nearby and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The back-to-back attacks have spread panic across Barwadih and Chhipadohar, with many villagers now wary of entering forested areas. A joint team of police and forest officials visited the site soon after the incident was reported.

Officials from the Forest Department expressed their condolences and provided immediate financial assistance of ?50,000 to each bereaved family. They assured that the remaining compensation of ?3.5 lakh would be released after due procedures are completed.

Residents have urged the administration to strengthen safety measures for those living near forest zones and to ensure timely compensation for affected families.

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

With inpputs from IANS