Agartala: A 60-year-old man was seriously injured after being attacked by a bear in the Simna area on Thursday morning, triggering fresh concerns among local residents over the continued presence of the wild animal in nearby villages.
The victim, identified as Lalit Debbarma of Bhuban Chowdhury Para under East Simna ADC Village, was reportedly attacked by the bear while in the area. The animal allegedly bit him on the upper portion of his left leg, tearing away flesh and causing severe injuries.
According to local residents, the same bear has been roaming for several weeks in Darogamura, Sarat Chowdhury Para, and Daigya Bari areas, and is frequently spotted near the Indo-Bangladesh border during nighttime.
Villagers claimed that about a month ago, the bear attacked a woman from Daigya Bari. She remains bedridden as a result of the injuries sustained in that incident.
Following Thursday’s attack, personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) rushed the injured man to Katlamara Primary Health Centre. The attending doctor provided initial treatment, including multiple stitches, before referring him to Agartala for advanced medical care. Sources said the victim also suffered additional injuries to his leg.
Speaking to the media, local resident Rakesh Debbarma alleged that repeated appeals to the Forest Department to capture and relocate the bear have gone unheeded. He demanded that the department bear all medical expenses of the injured victim and take immediate steps to prevent further attacks.
He further stated that if villagers are forced to kill the animal in self-defence, authorities should refrain from taking legal action against them.
The incident has heightened fear among residents, who are urging the Forest Department to intervene without delay and ensure the safety of people living in the affected areas.