PATNA– A tiger that strayed from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) into Ghoda Ghat village in Bihar’s West Champaran district killed a farmer and injured a forest worker on Monday, triggering panic among residents.
The victim, identified as 65-year-old farmer Mathura Mahato, was working in his paddy field near Ghoda Ghat under the Govardhana Forest Range when the tiger mauled him, reportedly tearing open his abdomen, before dragging the body into nearby sugarcane fields.
“He was my father-in-law. He had gone to work in the field when the tiger suddenly attacked. After killing him, the tiger hid nearby with the body in its mouth. The Forest Department team later recovered it,” said Renu Devi, the victim’s daughter-in-law.
A team of forest workers arrived to track the tiger and drive it back into the forest. During the search, the animal — still near the body — pounced on a tiger tracker, clawing his thigh. The tiger retreated only after workers shouted and created noise. The injured tracker was taken to the Community Health Centre in Ramnagar, where he remains in critical condition.
“We had information that a tiger had killed a farmer. When we reached Ghoda Ghat, the tiger hiding in the sugarcane suddenly attacked one of our team. We managed to scare it away and rushed our injured colleague to CHC Ramnagar,” said forest tracker Ram Vinay Oraon.
The attack has left villagers fearful, with many avoiding farm work. VTR Director and Forest Conservator Neshamani K. said efforts are underway to trace the tiger and urged residents to stay away from forested areas until the animal is located.
According to official figures, the Valmiki Tiger Reserve is home to 54 tigers. (Source: IANS)
