Farm labourer killed in tiger attack

Chandrapur: A farm labourer was killed in a tiger attack under Saoli forest range on Thursday evening.
The victim, identified as Bhaktdas Zarkar (35) and two other labourers had gone to work in the farm of one Suresh Bhise. They took the bullocks to nearby bushes in the area for grazing and then to a nearby pond. While returning, a tiger lurking in the area attacked Zarkar. The other two labourers shouted to scare away the tiger, but Zarkar was dead by then.
A team of foresters from Saoli range rushed to the spot on getting information. Forest officials have given Rs5 lakh ex-gratia aid to the kin of the family. Remaining compensation will be paid soon after completion of formalities. People have been warned, sources in the forest department said.
This is the 24th human kill in predator attacks this year. Tigers have killed 19 persons while five others have fallen prey to leopard attacks.