In two separate sloth bear attacks in Chhattisgarh's Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi (GPM) district, a 13-year-old girl and a 32-year-old man lost their lives, while four others sustained serious injuries, forest officials concerned with the development informed on Saturday.
The first incident occurred on Friday evening when Vidya Kewat, 13, encountered a bear while grazing cattle in Beljharia village.
"The wild animal mauled her to death on the spot," said Raunak Goyal, Divisional Forest Officer, Marwahi.
The second attack happened in the same village on Saturday morning.
Three residents, out collecting mushrooms in the nearby forest, were attacked by a sloth bear.
Sukkul Prasad, 32, was killed instantly, while Charan Singh Khairwar, 50, and Ramkumar, 30, were gravely injured, Goyal confirmed.
In a separate incident on the same day, two villagers, Sevak Lal Yadav, 30, and Semlal Gond, 45, were attacked by another bear in Kargikala village, leaving them with serious injuries. All injured victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
"The kin of the deceased will receive immediate assistance of Rs 25,000, with the remaining compensation provided after the necessary formalities are completed," Goyal added.
The Marwahi forest division, known for its large population of sloth bears, has been experiencing a rise in such encounters recently.
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