Woman dies in tiger attack in Chichpalli; hunt on for killer of 3 women day earlier

Chandrapur: A 65-year-old woman fell victim to a tiger attack in Chichpalli forest range of Chandrapur district on Sunday morning, just a day after after the deaths of three women in the Sindewahi forest range in another tiger attack.The incident has heightened anxiety amongst locals, occurring just a day after the previous fatal tiger attack in the neighbouring Sindewahi forest range.Vimal Budhaji Shende from Nagala village in Mul taluka was collecting tendu leaves in compartment No. 537 of Pimpalkhuta beat within Chichpalli range at approximately 7am when a tiger emerged from the bushes and fatally attacked her.Upon notification, forest officials promptly arrived at the scene and transported the body to Mul Sub-District Hospital for post-mortem examination. The authorities provided her family with Rs30,000 as immediate compensation.Range forest officer Priyanka Velme confirmed increased patrolling measures and warned residents against entering forest areas. "We are implementing all safety protocols and working to identify and capture the tiger responsible," she said.The incident brings the total tiger-related fatalities in Chandrapur district this year to 17. The year 2024 has witnessed 29 wildlife-related deaths, including 27 from tiger attacks, one from a leopard, and one from a wild boar.Former cabinet minister and Bramhapuri MLA Vijay Wadettiwar on Sunday attended the final rites of the three tiger attack victims of Saturday at Mendhamal in Sindewahi range. After consoling the bereaved families, he conferred with deputy conservator of forests Rakesh Sepat, range forest officer Vishal Salkar, and police officials. He insisted on the swift capture of the man-eating tiger. Wadettiwar said, "These attacks are unacceptable and we must now ensure government job for victims' family members and prompt compensation." He additionally called for sustainable preventive measures.The forest department had installed 35 cameras, including 7 live monitoring units, by Sunday evening to track the tiger responsible for the Sindewahi range attacks. Multiple response teams are active due to the extensive forest area, with enhanced patrolling. Officials indicated they would seek authorisation from the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) to tranquillise and capture the identified tiger.