A tigress killed a labourer in the Dhikala range of Corbett tiger reserve on Saturday. On Sunday, the family members and villagers staged a demonstration at the joint hospital demanding Rs 10 lakh compensation for the bereaved family and a government job for one of its members.
A native of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, 20-year old Pankaj was part of a group of labourers deployed by the department for repair and maintenance works in Corbett.
On Saturday, the group along accompanied by a forest guard was returning after completing their work when a tigress attacked Pankaj who was walking last in the line. The forest guard raised the alarm and group ran towards the tigress to scare her away. He also fired in the air which scared the big cat away. The injured Pankaj was taken to the joint hospital in Ramnagar where he was declared dead.
On Sunday, the family members along with villagers reached the joint hospital and staged a demonstration.
They were demanding Rs 10 lakh compensation to Pankaj’s family and a Government job for one member of that family. They said that they would not allow post mortem examination of the body until their demand are met.
The police and Bijrani sub divisional officer then reached the site. After discussion, it was decided that Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia would be given to the bereaved family.
Further, a member of the family would be provided a daily wage job and Rs 2 lakh would be provided through a non governmental organisation. After receiving this assurance, the family members allowed the post mortem of the body.
Meanwhile, after this incident, there is fear among labourers working in Corbett. The Sub-Divisional Officer said that the forest department team has been alerted to keep a tab on the movements of the tigress.