Woman farmer escapes tiger attack with minor hand injury in Chimur's Khatoda

A tiger attacked a woman farmer in the fields of Khatoda in Chimur tehsil at around 3:30 pm on Sunday, October 25. A major tragedy was averted by her presence of mind, and she had a narrow escape. She suffered a minor injury to her hand.

The injured woman is Sadhana Madhukar Jambhule, 45, a resident of Khatoda. The incident took place in the Khatoda fields adjoining Tapobhoomi Gondeda in the Palasgaon (Pi.) Neri area.

According to the information available, Jambhule had gone to the field with her husband to spray pesticide on the paddy crop. While her husband was busy spraying, she had stopped to rest on the bund of the field. A tiger lying in wait nearby reached the spot. Prompted by the movement of the woman as she lay there, the tiger turned her over with its paw.

Jambhule woke up at the sudden movement. On opening her eyes, she was terrified to see a huge tiger in front of her. Even so, she did not panic and began shouting loudly with all her courage. Hearing his wife's voice, her husband rushed to the spot at once. Frightened by the two of them shouting together, the tiger ran off towards the forest.

In the scuffle, the claws of the tiger's paw left Jambhule with a minor injury to her hand. On receiving news of the incident, Neri range assistant officer Tondase of the Forest Department, forest guard Alne and forest guard Sambhaji Wadzhe reached the spot immediately and drew up a panchnama.

The injured woman has been admitted to the sub-district hospital in Chimur for treatment, where she is currently being treated.

The incident has created considerable fear among farmers in Khatoda and the surrounding area. Local residents are strongly demanding that the Forest Department immediately keep watch on tiger movement in the area and take the necessary steps at once to protect farmers.