A bear attack left a couple seriously injured in Rundimahul village under Kantamal police limits in Kandhamal district this morning.
Maneśwar Bondki (50) and his wife Sumukhi Bondki (48) were walking along the Kenkamanji road when two bears suddenly emerged from the bushes and attacked them. Both sustained deep injuries to their hands and legs.
Hearing their cries, villagers rushed to the spot. The bears retreated into the forest, allowing locals to rescue the couple. Family members immediately shifted them to Subarnapur District Hospital. Doctors confirmed that both remain under treatment, and their condition is stable.
The attack shocked villagers, who expressed concern about rising human-wildlife conflict in the area. Locals demanded that the forest department cover medical expenses and provide compensation, as Maneśwar belongs to a poor family.
