Lakhimpur Kheri (UP): A tiger mauled a 40-year-old man in Mahesupur range of south Kheri Forest Division on Saturday, official sources said. The tiger that was hiding in a thick coppice could not be seen. It pounced upon Veerpal, a farmer and took him into its jaws by the neck. As the farmer began to yell, other farm workers who were in the nearby fields rushed to the spot, but by the time they reached the spot, the tiger ran away.
Veerpal was taken to a health facility in the Gola area of the district where the farmer succumbed to his injuries, officials further said. On getting information, south Kheri divisional forest officer, Sanjay Biswal visited the spot with his team and took stock of the situation.
He also interacted with the family members of Veerpal and assured them of all aid and that the foresters would drive back the tiger in the forest. Biawal told villagers that the movements of tigers and leopards had been reported from the area and urged them to remain alert when they go to farmlands. Several incidents of man-animal conflict have taken place in Lakhimpur Kheri this year, forest officials further said.
