Sangareddy: A 55-year-old cattle herder was killed by a crocodile on the banks of River Manjeera in Sangareddy district on Sunday evening. The victim was identified as Golla Mallaiah, a native of Isojipet in Pulkal Mandal. The issue came to light on Monday morning when the District Forest officials visited the village to probe into the incident.
Mallaiah left his house with his cattle to graze them on the banks of the Manjeera River on Sunday morning. A couple of buffaloes crossed the river to the other side. When Ramulu attempted to cross the river, a crocodile attacked him and dragged into the water in the middle of the river. By the time other cattle rearers rushed to the location to rescue him, Mallaiah died. Since the slippers were floating in the water, the villagers could trace the body easily. The crocodile has eaten up parts of his neck and leg. The villagers have brought the body to the Isojipet late on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the forest staff led by Deputy Forest Range Officer Ravi Kumar rushed to the village to inquire into the incident on Monday morning. The forest officials said as it was a breeding time for crocodiles in River Manjeera, they would attack menacingly.
The incident has created sensation in Sangareddy district. The family members performed the funeral on Monday without filing the case in Pulkal Police Station and also refused to take the body for postmortem. However, the forest officials have prepared a report to get some ex-gratia granted to the victim’s family.
Manjeera Dam, constructed across the River Manjeera near Sangareddy, was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary for Mugger Crocodiles a few years ago. Since the government has taken up the conservation of crocodiles in Manjeera Dam, it is now home for over 500 mugger crocodiles. The incident happened in the back waters of Manjeera dam. It first such death reported in Sangareddy district over the last decade.
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