my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 23 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken cognisance of the bear attacks occurring close to school premises in Pokhari block of Chamoli district in a demonstration of swift sensitivity and administrative alertness. Today, he also held a telephone conversation with a student injured in a bear attack. The CM enquired after his well-being and offered words of comfort, wishing the boy a speedy recovery. He reiterated that the state government stands firmly with the affected family during this difficult time and assured that no deficiency would be permitted in providing medical treatment or ensuring safety at any level.
On this occasion, the CM also interacted with two courageous girl students, Divya and Deepika, who displayed indomitable courage, presence of mind and human sensitivity to save other children from the bear. Praising their bravery, Dhami noted that the courage, patience and sense of responsibility these girls had exhibited at such a tender age is a matter of immense pride and inspiration for the entire state. The CM also noted that ensuring the safety of other children while disregarding their own lives in a moment of crisis is an example of extraordinary bravery. Offering encouraging words to the the students, he wished them a bright future and affirmed that the state government would always promote such courageous youngsters.
In this regard, the CM has also directed the district administration and the forest department to immediately increase patrolling in the affected areas and ordered that additional robust security arrangements be ensured around schools, Aanganwadis and residential areas. He made it clear that all necessary and effective steps must be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in future. Dhami further instructed that the injured student be provided with proper medical facilities and that the affected family must be provided with all possible assistance. In addition, he directed the officials concerned to maintain regular monitoring and to build confidence among local residents regarding their safety. He reiterated that the safety of children is an issue of highest priority for the state government, and that the administration would work with full commitment and rigour to protect the lives and property of its citizens under all circumstances.
It may be recalled that the latest incident comes against the backdrop of a series of recent human-wildlife conflicts particularly in the hill districts, where bears are reported to be entering the school compounds and residences, injuring the local residents and instilling fear among communities as a result. It may be reminded here that in Chamoli district’s Harishankar village, a black bear and her cub had yesterday entered a junior school campus and mauled a Class Six student before another student intervened to help rescue him, prompting fresh concerns about wildlife intrusions near educational institutions and drawing official orders to revise school opening times as a precautionary measure.
Elsewhere in the region, reports have emerged of a woman suffering grievous injuries while collecting grass in forested terrain, including the loss of an eye in a bear attack, highlighting the severity and unpredictability of such encounters.
In addition, in some villages of Rudraprayag district, the villagers have been traumatised by persistent bear attacks that left villagers with serious wounds, leading to heightened alertness among local authorities.
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