Srikakulam bear attack: 2 injured in June attack dead

Srikakulam: Sirla Chalapathi (45) who was injured in a bear attack on 20 June near Kidisingi village under Vajrapukotturu mandal in Srikakulam district died on 7 August while undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Vizag city. A few days ago, Tamada Shanmukha Rao (40) who was injured in the same bear attack, died while he was availing treatment in Vizag city.

It may be recalled that six persons were injured when a bear attacked them while they were building a small shed near a cashew and coconut plantation between Kidisingi and Vajrapukotturu in Srikakulam district on 20 June. A day before the incident, a 72-year-old K. Kodanda Rao man was killed after being attacked by the same bear at Peddakonda locality near Kidisingi in Srikakulam district.

The locals said that Chalapathi was severely injured in the bear attack and he was shifted to a private hospital in Vizag city. He was discharged from the hospital around 10 days ago. A few days ago, he felt uneasy and he was shifted to a private hospital in Vizag city, where he lost his final breath on Sunday night. Chalapathi was survived by his parents, wife, and two children. The locals said that Chalapathi and Shanmukha Rao were good friends. They are demanding the government pay financial support to the families of the victims.

It may also be recalled that the forest officials had launched operation Bhallukka and caught the bear on 21 June. However, the bear died while being shifted to Vizag Zoo.

On Monday, the locals found three bears near a fast-food centre at Chinavanka village under Vajrapukotturu mandal in the district. They said the bears are venturing into the village and roaming the streets. The locals have appealed to the forest officials to take steps to prevent possible man-human conflict in the villages.

Chief conservator of forests (Vizag region) P. Ram Mohan Rao said they are chalking out plans to form response teams with youngsters to deal with the rising man-animal conflict in some districts. The teams, on receiving an emergency call, will rush to the spot and neutralise the situation, he added.