Four women killed in tiger attack while collecting tendu leaves in Maharashtra's Chandrapur

All four were residents of Gunjewahi village in Chandrapur district in Maharashtra. Pic/Special Arrangement

In a tragic incident in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district, four women were killed in a tiger attack while collecting tendu leaves inside a forest area on Thursday morning.

According to forest officials, the attack took place around 7.30 am in Gunjewahi Bit Room No. 1836 under the Sindewahi forest range.

The women had entered the forest to collect tendu leaves when the tiger reportedly attacked them. Forest officials later confirmed that all four died at the spot.

Victims identified

The deceased women have been identified as Kavdabai Dadaji Mohurle (45), Anubai Dadaji Mohurle (40), Sangeeta Santosh Chaudhary (50) and Sunita Kaushik Mohurle (38)

All four were residents of Gunjewahi village in Chandrapur district in Maharashtra.

Forest and police teams reach spot

Soon after receiving information about the attack, forest officials and rescue teams rushed to the forest area.

Senior officials from the Brahmapuri Forest Division, including Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr Kumaraswamy S.R., also visited the site along with wildlife and territorial officers.

Police personnel from Sindewahi Police Station later arrived and conducted the panchnama procedure before sending the bodies to the Rural Hospital in Sindewahi for post-mortem examination.

Financial aid

The Forest Department announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 25,000 each to the families of the deceased women, taking the total relief amount to Rs 1 lakh.

Officials said Rs 50,000 was handed over to Ramesh Dadaji Mohurle, brother of Kavdabai and Anubai Mohurle. Separate assistance of Rs 25,000 each was also given to the family members of the other two victims.

Forest department issues advisory

Forest officials said regular patrolling and preventive measures were already being carried out in the area before the tendu leaf collection season began.

According to the department, villagers and labourers had been advised to enter forests in groups and avoid isolated movement. Awareness campaigns through loudspeaker announcements and posters had also been conducted in nearby villages.

Officials added that camera traps and live monitoring systems have been installed to track tiger movement in the region.

The Forest Department has appealed to people to remain alert while entering forest areas and to avoid venturing inside alone.