Ramban, Oct. 20: Repeated bear attacks in Pancheri tehsil of Udhampur district have sparked fear among residents, with a 68-year-old man critically injured in the latest incident in Chulna Panchayat on Monday night.
The injured man, identified as Krishan Singh, was shifted for medical treatment after the attack, local sources said. The incident comes days after Kamlesh Kumari, a woman from the same area, was seriously injured in a bear attack. She is still undergoing treatment, according to local sources.
Residents said at least four bear attacks had been reported in the area over the past two months, raising concerns about the safety of villagers, particularly children who walk to government schools daily.
District Congress Committee (DCC) Udhampur president Sumeet Magotra visited Government Medical College (GMC), Udhampur, to enquire about Singh’s condition. He questioned the effectiveness of preventive measures taken by the Wildlife Department and called for sustained action to prevent further attacks.
“Small children walk to government schools every day. When bear attacks pose a threat in villages and along their routes, who will ensure their safety? The administration must take responsibility and act before another tragedy occurs,” Magotra said.
He called for intensified patrolling, continuous monitoring of affected areas and special teams to track the bears. He also urged authorities to ensure their safe capture by trained wildlife experts and introduce safety measures along routes used by schoolchildren.
Magotra said the administration and the Wildlife Department must act urgently to protect residents of Pancheri and adjoining villages rather than wait for a major tragedy.
