Van Gujjars, forest officials clash over tiger attack

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 13

Forest officials and Van Gujjars came to blows after two gujjars were injured in a tiger attack near the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve on Tuesday.

Gujjars Bashir Ahmed (38) and Mumtaj Ali (27) were grazing their livestock near the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve when they were attacked by a tiger which was hiding in bushes.

On hearing their cries, a large number of Gujjars, armed with sticks, reached the site and managed to free the two from the clutches of the tiger.

Both the injured were taken to a nearby health centre. Doctors there referred them to the district hospital.

Meanwhile, forest officials who reached the spot had to face the ire of Van Gujjars who alleged that they did not come to their rescue immediately. However, the matter was resolved following the intervention of senior forest officials.