Ranchi: An adult wild bear on Saturday morning strayed from its group in Kombo Jaradeeh forest and ventured into the nearby villages under Sonahatu block of Ranchi district. Anxious and afraid, the bear went on a spree attacking five persons in five different villages. One among the injured is stated to be critical.Ranger of Sonahatu forest range Ranvir Singh said intrusion of wild bear is not new in the area but in the past, it has not injured so many people at one go. “The bear was spotted by villagers and in panic, they tried to shoo him away which terrified the animal and it came in an attacking mode in self-defence,” he said.While 11-year-old Chandramohan Mahto of Choka village was critically injured, four others suffered mild to moderate injuries. Anup Manjhi, 45 of Saredag village, Mahiram Mahto, 56 of Haarin village, Kasna Devi, 50 of Salbanda village and Ropni Devi, 50 of Deersir village have also been injured in the attack . Chandramohan has been admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) in Ranchi whereas the others were admitted at the Sadar hospital in Ranchi.Singh said there is a provision for compensating those injured by animal attacks by the forest department. “I visited the hospital and handed over an interim relief of Rs 5,000 to the family members of each of the four persons who were injured moderately and Rs 10,000 to Chandramohan’s family who is battling for life at Rims,” he said.According to provisions of the forest department, those seriously injured in animal attack can get up to Rs 50,000 and those suffering minor injuries are entitled for Rs 15,000 as compensation. “Once the medical certificate and injury reports are obtained, we will pay the balance amount,” the forest ranger informed.Villagers said the bear was roaming around in the village and it attacked anyone coming on its way. Some of the villagers tried to drive away the bear that apparently lost its way and in that effort, pushed it to adjoining village. “We are no experts of wildlife. Despite staying close to nature, it is difficult to predict their behaviour and something seems to have angered the bear,” said Somra Mahto of Haarin village.

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