Cuttack: Odisha government today said it is mulling providing compensation to the owners of the sheep killed by the mysterious animals, after locals staged a road blockade on Thursday.
Forest and Environment Minister Bijayasree Routray informed that forest officials are on their toes to catch the mysterious animal soon and the state government will soon take a call on providing compensation to people who lost their sheep.
“Two camera traps have been installed near the Bhanragarh forest. The animals will be caught very soon. They will be tranquilized if they try to escape. We will decide soon on compensating the owners who have lost their sheep,” said the Minister.
An eight-member team under the leadership of Assistant director of Nandankanan Zoological Park Kamal Lachan Purohit, visited the spot to conduct an investigation. Phulnakhara Range Officer Himanshu Sekhar and other officials are also in the area.
They are slated to study the footprints and meet the locals.
Earlier today, hundreds of irate locals blocked the Niali-Phulnakhara road with a carcass of a sheep protesting the killing of domestic animals. They claimed that one more sheep was killed and nine others injured yesterday night and demanded compensation. But, they lifted the road blockade following an assurance from the local administration.
Ms Kalinga