bear
A bear killed a man and injured seven persons in Ballari district on Tuesday morning.

The animal attacked Pura Basappa, Maliyamma and Hanumanthappa between 6.30 and 7am when they were walking to their fields in Siddapura village. Their screams alerted other villagers, who threw stones and drove it away.

Within minutes, the bear appeared at Siddapura Nala, on the outskirts of the village. It bit Kasturi Naik, 56, on the neck. It attacked Kalia Naik, 50, who tried to rescue Kasturi. Kala escaped with scratches, but Kasturi succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

The angry bear then turned on Peeki Bai, 50, and Thippamma, 50, who were heading to their fields, and left them injured.


The animal then moved towards Makanadaku village, and injured Thippeswamy, 42, in his right leg, thigh and left hand. It took shelter in bushes following the multiple attacks, which happened within a span of an hour.

The injured, undergoing treatment at the Kudligi government hospital, are out of danger.

VR Chandrashekar, 25, a resident of Chikkajogihalli tanda, said: "This is the first incident reported in our village. People from nearby villagers had regularly reported bear sightings to the forest department. We lost an elder because of their inaction."

Humans to blame: Thimmana Goud, 42, a resident of Siddapura, told TOI: "People going to their fields had threatened the bear. There was no bear-human conflict in this area. It all happened after human attacks."

Nanaku Bai, wife of Kasturi Naik, said: "My husband was the only breadwinner in the family. Forest officers neglected the animal sightings and the conflict that ensued. The government must take action against the officers."

SV Manjunath, range forest officer, told TOI: "As per government norms, the department will pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the family of the deceased. The injured will be reimbursed their medical fees."

Forest officers sent the animal to the Hulikunte reserve forest area. Police handed over Kasturi Naik's body to his family after autopsy.