Farmer critically hurt in tiger attack while picking cotton in Mul, Chandrapur

Fear has spread in Mul taluka of Chandrapur district after a tiger attacked a 50-year-old farmer who was picking cotton in Compartment No. 30 of the Dabgaon Makta area. The farmer's condition has been described as critical.

The injured man is Sunil Motiram Kodape, 50, a resident of Dabgaon Makta. According to the information available, he had gone to pick cotton on his farm in Mauza Chak Kanhalgaon. Eight to ten labourers were also working with him.

As everyone was at work, a tiger lying in ambush suddenly leapt at Kodape. The attack was so sudden that he had no chance to escape and was seriously injured. Other labourers working nearby raised an alarm, and the tiger fled. It is said that a bigger tragedy was averted for this reason.

On receiving news of the incident, Forest Department's forester Manish Nimkar, forest guard Kavle and their team reached the spot immediately. With the help of his companions, Kodape was promptly admitted to the sub-district hospital in Mul. After initial treatment there, he was referred to the District General Hospital in Chandrapur for further care because his condition was serious.

The Forest Department has also extended help. Range Forest Officer Maheshkar of the Chichpalli forest range visited the injured farmer at the sub-district hospital in Mul and enquired about his health. The department also handed him a cheque for Rs 10,000 as immediate emergency assistance.

The rains failed this time and drought-like conditions have developed in the taluka. Farmers in Mul taluka were already struggling financially because of erratic rain and drought. The fear of wild animals has now added to their troubles. With Diwali only a few days away, the incident has brought grief and anxiety to farming families.

Farmers are having to go to their fields at the risk of their lives, to somehow save the standing crop and to do labour work. Movement of wild animals is increasing by the day and direct attacks are also taking place, leaving farmers distressed. During the farming season, farmers and labourers have to work in the shadow of fear.

For this reason, people of Dabgaon Makta, Chak Kanhalgaon and surrounding areas are demanding, with anger and pain, that the Forest Department step up patrolling immediately, keep watch on the tiger's movements and put firm arrangements in place at once for the safety of those going to the fields. The question of farmers' lives has now come to the fore, and people hope the administration will soon turn its attention to this serious matter.