the goan I network
VALPOI
Tension prevailed at Shel-Melavali in Guleli-Sattari on Wednesday evening when agitated people confronted forest department officials over their failure to relocate the bison linked to two deaths in the last two months.
According to reports, angry residents from Shel Melavali, Dhada, Paikul and Murmune blocked a vehicle carrying DCF Kuldeep Sharma and other senior officials for their failure to locate the bison during combing operations over the last eight days.
The people warned the forest officials to relocate the bison by Thursday evening, failing which they would stage a protest against the forest department.
Jaywanti Gaonkar of Kankire had died after being attacked by the bison, while Pujan Mellekar also died after being attacked by the bison while she was travelling from Guleli to Shell Melavali.
Following demands by locals to relocate the bison, a forest team had begun combing operations last week.
On Tuesday, some locals had accompanied the forest team and the bison was identified near Shel Melavali temple. The forest team was, however, unable to tranquilize the animal.
On Wednesday, combing operations were carried out under the supervision of DCF Kuldeep Sharma and the bison was found moving around the temple area at about 3.30 pm. The forest team again tried to tranquilize the animal, but he fled.
Furious with the department for their failure, angry locals confronted the forest officials and blocked five forest vehicles carrying the forest officials.
ZP member Premnath Hazare intervened in the matter and requested forest officials to relocate the bison by Thursday evening.
Locals warned the forest officials that if their efforts were unsuccessful by Thursday evening, they would stage a protest from Friday.
When contacted, DCF Kuldeep Sharma said combing operations had been underway since the last eight days but the bison could not be located.
“On Tuesday, the bison was located with the help of villagers but could not be tranquilized as it involved a risky exercise. On Wednesday, the bison was located but could not be tranquilized again due to the large crowd present at the site. A plan has been prepared and we are confident of trapping the bison on Thursday,” he added.
Meanwhile, there were claims that the bison had attacked a member of a forest team at Shel Melavali on Wednesday, causing him minor injuries.
However, the forest team member later admitted to
reporters that he had not been attacked by the bison, but
had slipped and injured himself during the combing
operations.
