34 Injured in Bahraich Wolf Attacks: CM Yogi Adityanath Advocates ‘Shooting as Last Resort’

34 Injured in Bahraich Wolf Attacks: CM Yogi Adityanath Advocates ‘Shooting as Last Resort

It is in this backdrop that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, issued shoot-at-sight orders as a last resort against the marauding wolf attack in Bahraich district.

The latest attack occurred on Monday night, where the wolf attacked a five-year-old girl who had been sleeping next to her grandmother at their home. Luckily, timely interference by the girl’s family and those around her made it possible for her to survive her injuries, though the wolf managed to escape.

Locals residing in the area said that it was for the first time that the wolf attacked their village. ANI spoke with Kalim, a resident.

The injured girl is currently receiving treatment at the Community Health Centre in Mahasi along with the two others who have been injured in the attack. Dr Ashish Verma, Superintendent, Mahasi CHC informed that 34 people were injured in these attacks.

All have been treated, but two being serious were referred to the District Hospital in Bahraich and they are out of danger. For such contingencies, the CHC has been adequately prepared and its stocks of Anti-Rabies Vaccines and Anti-Snake Venom have been maintained satisfactorily on directives from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Wolf attacks were reported from March 18, killing ten people. It includes nine children below eight years and a 55-year-old woman. The Uttar Pradesh Police and Forest Department have launched ‘Operation Bhediya’ to trace the wolves that are killing the children.

So far, Four Wolves have been captured, and a search is underway for two more thought to belong to the same pack. Seven zones have been carved out in the affected area, each zone being manned by special teams comprising of forest and police personnel.

While ASSI such as K S Pratap Kumar, ADG of the Gorakhpur Zone, assured that each gram panchayat was assigned with a police team, he said only the team may ensure its success with confidence.

In a similar incident, a day before the latest attack, a three-year-old girl was killed and two women were injured. Chief Minister Adityanath has ordered senior forest officials to personally oversee rescue operations in the affected districts.

During a review meeting, Adityanath made it clear: shooting wolves should be attempted only when all other rescue efforts fail. He sought better coordination between the forest, police, local administration, panchayats and revenue departments while seeking greater public awareness of the safety measures.

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The Chief Minister ordered an inquiry into the fundamental reasons behind the rising man-animal conflict. Chief Secretary and other senior officials from Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Moradabad and Pilibhit attended the meeting through video conferencing.