Black bears kill woman in Chhota Bhangal

Black bears killed a woman in Multhan panchayat of Chhota Bhangal in Baijnath tehsil of Kangra district last evening. The victim was collecting fodder for her cattle in a forest near her village when bears pounced on her. She was identified as Raji Devi, 60. However, her sister managed to save her life by running away from the forest.

Villagers said on hearing the victim’s screams, they rushed to the spot and scared the bears away. A team of Forest Department officials arrived there after the villagers informed it about the bears back.

Later, a team from Multhan police post reached there and shifted the victim to the local Civil Dispensary where she was declared brought dead.

A Forest Department official said that an immediate relief of Rs 10,000 had been provided to the deceased’s family. Further compensation would be provided to Raji Devi’s family once the case was processed, he added. Forests of Chhota Bhangal are home to several wild animal species, including the Himalayan black bear and Himalayan brown bear. Bear sightings and encounters are common in Chhota Bhangal.