STRAY TIGER KILLS AND EAT UP A MAOIST IN JHARKHAND

Ranchi: A stray tiger has killed and eaten up a dreaded Maoist in Jharkhand’s jungles. The incident is suspected to have occurred in Bundu forests, some 40km from here.

The incident suggests that there are more than six tigers in Jharkhand who the forest department thinks live in Palamau Tiger Reserve, a 1000 sq km area.

A handwritten letter of dreaded Maoist Kundan Pahan, who features in the Union Home Ministry’s wanted list and is the commander of South Chhotanagpur Zonal Committee, has confirmed the development.

In the 150-odd words letter, which is addressed to a Maoist Pragti Da, Kundan Pahan has deeply regretted the loss of the aide (Maoist).

“A friend was killed and eaten by a tiger recently. It is a huge loss and a cause of great concern. I am just briefing you about the incident. I will tell you more when we meet,” the letter read.

The letter (a copy of which is with TOI) was seized from a guerrilla Ram Mohan Singh Munda, a close aide of Pahan. Munda was arrested from Tamar block on Saturday.

In the letter Pahan has asked Pragti Da to felicitate the organisation of training camps in the jungles of Ulidih in Ranchi and in Khuti districts. The camps are to be organised on June 30 and November 15 respectively.

Ranchi SSP Saket Kumar Singh said, “The guerrillas and the tigers become dependent on few ponds for water in summer because many ponds naturally dry up. The Maoist (who was eaten up by the tiger) may have been caught unawares and fallen pray.”

Ranchi SP (rural) A V Minz, who has led several anti-guerrilla operations, said, “The guerrillas generally live near water bodies in summer because it is easy for them to cool off in the heat.”

A senior IPS said that in summer guerrillas restrict their movements and prefer to remain static at a place for long. “As summer days are exhausting for the guerrillas they feel sleepier. In deep jungles, especially when they feel relaxed, the guerrillas keep their arms in camps or hang them in trees. This Maoist (killed by the tiger) may have been caught by the tiger in a similar condition,” the IPS added.

National Tiger Conservation Authority member (monitoring wing) and Jharkhand’s tiger man D S Srivastava said that tigers prefer to wander during summer.

“Apart from the Palamau Tiger Reserve area, tigers have been wandering throughout Jharkhand. Tigers have been sighted in Hazaribagh, Latehar, and and Koderma as well,” said Srivastava.

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