Tiger kills farmer

Chandrapur: A tiger killed yet another farmer, this time in the fields of village Lakhapur, in North Bramhapuri forest range, on Friday evening. The body of victim Jagan Panse (75) was recovered on Saturday morning.
Farmer Panse from Lakhapur had gone into the forest to collect firewood on Friday. He did not return home in the evening. The villagers searched for him and later informed the foresters about his disappearance. Foresters too searched for the missing Shende, but called off the operation late in the night.
Search operation resumed on Saturday morning and Panse’s body was recovered in Saygata beat of forest. It was removed for post mortem after inquest formalities. Foresters have given Rs25,000 ex-gratia aid to the kin of deceased farmer.
This is the second instance of human kill in the area within 24 hours. Earlier, one Jaibai Tondre from village Torgaon was killed by a tiger while she was working in her farm on Thursday. Torgaon and Lakhapur are located 6km apart.
RFO Mahesh Gaikwad said that it is still not confirmed whether the same tiger is involved in both human kills. Foresters have installed camera traps at places where dead bodies have been found. Comparison of camera trap pictures will help confirm identity of the tiger, he said.
Forest officials have warned people in the villages around about the presence of a tiger in the area. People have been cautioned to observe preventive measures while going to their fields and avoid going into the jungle.
The number of human kills in predator attacks in the district this year has now reached 39.