M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, April 23: A bear has critically injured a 38- year -old tribal Sandip Toppo of village Kewarki in the Mahuadnr range of the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) today morning.
Ranger Brinda Pandey said the man Toppo was collecting Mahua fruits in the protected forest of Kewarki in Legu forest sub beat when around 5.45 am today a bear mauled him by inflicting multiple bites on his face and right eye.
The bear victim was rushed to the community health centre at Mahuadnr where his wounds were stitched, anti rabies and other life-saving antibiotics were given, said the ranger Pandey.
Kumar Ashish, deputy director of the South division of the PTR said the community health centre Mahuadanr referred this Toppo to the Sadar Hospital Latehar.
In charge DPM of the Sadar Hospital Latehar Ved Prakash said the bear appears to have caused extensive damage to his right eye and from here Toppo has been referred to the RIMS Ranchi for emergency surgery and eye injury treatment.
The tiger reserve Palamu has assured to bear all the expenses for his treatment.