Amreli: A migrant youth was killed in a lion attack near Kovaya village in Rajula taluka. The incident has created a lot of fear, as the wild cat devoured the body of the youth, and only parts of his body were found at the scene later.

According to the information received, the deceased, Prakash Chandra, was originally a resident of Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand and worked in a local hotel-restaurant. He had left the hotel late at night to go to his hometown. During that time, a lion attacked him near Kovaya village.

The lion dragged the youth into the bushes. On learning about the incident in the morning, local people and a team from the Forest Department reached the scene. Human remains were found at the site.

There is a lot of anger among the locals following the incident. Amrubhai Wagh, an employee of a private company, said that there are five to seven companies in the area where people work in shifts day and night. The constant movement of lions in the area is causing great hardship to employees and local residents.

He said that people with four-wheelers are somewhat safe, but the risk is higher for two-wheeler riders and people travelling on foot. The Forest Department should take immediate steps and make adequate arrangements for the safety of the people.

The sarpanch of Kovaya village, Jinabhai Lakhnotra, said that the victim was working in a local restaurant. A similar incident had occurred earlier in nearby Bhakodar village. He demanded that the Forest Department increase the number of trackers and bring effective control over the movement of lions near human settlements.

The sarpanch also appealed to the government to provide immediate financial assistance to the family of the deceased. He warned that if necessary safety measures are not taken, local residents will be forced to protest.

As soon as the incident was reported, a team from the Rajula Range Forest Department reached the spot and launched a mega operation to catch the man-eating lion. A cordon was set up around the incident site, and the lion was tranquillised and caged with the help of a team of wildlife doctors.

According to the Forest Department, further investigation and rescue operations will continue as there is a possibility that other lions were present at the time of the attack. Local villagers have also been instructed not to venture out alone in outlying areas at night and to take necessary precautions. DeshGujarat