KalingaTV News Network
Kendrapara: A middle-aged man had a close shave after a saltwater crocodile attacked him in Belpal village in Rajnagar block of the district last evening.
The injured has been identified as Kailash Chandra Sethi.
As per some eyewitnesses, Kailash went to Brahmani river to take bath in the evening when the reptile attacked him. A large saltwater crocodile which is believed to have sneaked into the river from Bhitarkanika sanctuary pounced on the victim and tried to drag him into the river by holding the right leg. However, he somehow managed to stick to the river bank and raised an alarm. Some bystanders reached the spot immediately and rescued him from the clutches of the reptile.
Sethi, who sustained serious injury on his right leg in the incident, has been admitted to Kendrapara DHH where his condition is stated to be stable.
Locals have blamed the district administration and the authorities of Bhitarkanika crocodile sanctuary for the growing reptile attack in the Brahmani river. They have claimed that the absence of protection walls near bathing ghats has given rise to such type of incidents.
In a similar incident, a 14-year-old boy identified as Srikant Sethi had fallen prey to crocodile attack while taking bath in Hansua river in the district on April 21 this year.
Ms Kalinga