Movement of tiger sparks panic among villagers in Asifabad

Panic gripped Itukalpahad village in Sirpur (T) mandal after villagers spotted a tiger near their fields. Forest officials suspect the animal strayed from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and urged residents to remain cautious and avoid venturing into the forest.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: The movement of a tiger triggered panic among residents of Itukalpahad, a forest fringe village in Sirpur (T) mandal, on Sunday.

Villagers said they spotted the tiger crossing a road near the village and expressed fear over its presence. They said the situation had forced them to halt cotton harvesting, as they were afraid the animal could attack while they were picking cotton.

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Forest officials urged villagers to stay cautious, suspecting that the tiger may have strayed into Telangana from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in search of new territory. They advised farmers to avoid sudden encounters, not to venture deep into the forest for cattle grazing, and to make noise while harvesting cotton.