Four hurt in Jackal attack

MALDA, 23 FEB: Four persons including a madhyamik examinee were injured in a jackal attack at Babupara in ward number 13 of English Bazaar Municipality in Malda town last evening. Failing to summon the forest department officials on time, the locals trapped and killed the animal. The locals alleged the forest officials did not respond to their frantic phone calls. Apprehending fresh attacks by jackal packs, the locals have decided to stand watch tonight. They fear jackals may mount an attack following the death of a pack member. A local Mr Rabi Karmakar said they had no idea that the area, which is located 200 metres from the Mahananda River, was a habitat of jackals, as the area is densely populated. “We know that jackals live on the left bank of the Mahananda River. We never imagined a jackal would wander into the locality and attack humans”, was his incredulous response to the incident. The locals last evening initially took the jackal for a stray dog and did not attach much importance to it till it attacked two persons including a woman who managed to escape. The jackal returned latter in the evening and attacked four persons identified as Mrs BIna Sarkjar, Miss Moumita Choudhury, Mr Shambhu Das and Biswajit Bhaskar, a madhyamik candidate. Four of them were brought to the district hospital last night and discharged after treatment. Biswajit Bhaskar appeared the exam today. The hospital authority assured to supply requisite injection and medicines to the victims. SNS