Keonjhar: Three people were killed and five others sustained severe injuries in an attack by the wild bear on Monday morning. The villagers killed the bear later on. According to forest officials, four people, Pandav Naik, Bhadaru Naik, Amina Naik and Rabi Naik of Khadiadiha village under Raghunathpur Grama Panchayat of Naranpur forest section of Sadar Range had gone to Bhalupahadisahi forest for collecting Mahua flower at about 4.oo am when they were attacked by the wild bear.

One of the injured, Rabi Naik (50) died at the Keonjhar district headquarters hospital. Later Nabakishore Naik, Niladri Naik, Chandrabhanu Nabakishore Naik and village fire watchman Bideshi Mahakud who had rushed to the spot after learning about the incident were also attacked by the bear. Two of them, Nabakishore and Bideshi were shifted to the Keonjhar district headquarters hospital in a critical condition and were declared dead.

Five injured persons Niladri, Pandav, Bhadaru, Amina and Chandrabhanu are undergoing treatment in the hospital. Keonjhar sadar forest range officer, Antaryami Behera, forester Sashibhusan Barik, forest guards and elephant squad have rushed to the spot.