Tiger freed at Red zone in MP, villagers attack officials

P Naveen, TNN | Apr 29, 2013, 02.45 PM IST Unmanned aerial vehicle base to be shifted to closer to Red corridor ...Tahsildar, 4 others hurt in tiger attackDid forest officials’ folly lead to Kerala tiger attack?Rhino calf killed by tigerMHA convenes meeting of Naxal-affected states BHOPAL: A tiger, which was locked into a room by a tribal woman after it strayed into her house in Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh on Friday morning was released near Loujhar ghati area — south Balaghat region, to save it from poachers. Hunters wont lay traps in this area, forest officials believe. Loujhar Ghati area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Roopjhar police station area is frequented by Maoists of Malajkhand Dalam, sources said. However, forest officials were attacked by angry villagers who wanted the tiger to be released in a distant area. Three persons, including retired ranger Niranjan Kumar Bisen, who volunteered help to the department in capturing the tiger, were injured after villagers resorted to stone-pelting. Police had to use mild lathicharge to disperse the mob. "They objected to the release of the tiger in forest area close to their village. I sustained injuries on my arms and two labourers sustained fatal wounds on their head," Bisen said. This was 53rd tiger he had captured. "At least poachers won't enter the area fearing Naxals," he said. The tiger had strayed into Nevargaon village close to the Pench-Kanha corridor in search of water, said forest officials. It entered into the house of Ishwar Nageshwar. When the tiger moved into a room, Ishwar's cousin Sangeeta Primal locked it from outside and ran out of her house with her three-year-old kid. Other members also woke up. The forest department was told about it. The tiger was into the room from 6 am to 5.30 pm till vets from the reserve tranquilized. Wildlife experts believe the tiger travelled several kilometres through the Red Corridor either for space and or prey-base shortage from the Nagzira sanctuary in Gondia (Maharashtra). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Tiger-freed-at-Red-zone-in-MP-villagers-attack-officials/articleshow/19780354.cms