Goa: Woman killed by wild bison; state health minister blames forest dept

A woman died on Monday after she was gored by a wild bison inside the Mahadeyi Wildlife Sanctuary in Sattari in North Goa district, 80 kilometres from here, a police official said.

"Pujan Melekar (22) was attacked by a wild bison when she was riding pillion through the Mahadeyi Wildlife Sanctuary on her way to work at a round 7am today. Her younger brother, who was riding the two-wheeler, was also injured," said a Valpoi police official.

He said the incident happened at Xel-Dhada village of Guleli panchayat in Sattari and Melekar died while undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital near here.

This is the second such incident in the past month with a 45-year-old woman, earlier, dying of injuries sustained in a bison attack in the same area, said officials.

Local legislator and Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, who visited the hospital this morning, said that he had asked forest authorities to tranquilise the wild bison herd moving around Guleli and relocate them.

"The forest department officials did not heed my request and this incident is a result of their negligence," Rane said, adding that he would raise the issue with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar later in the day.