Indus Valley Times

By Akshya Rout

Jajpur,Aug 17 : A saltwater crocodile attacked and killed a woman on Wednesday in Jajpur district .

 Joshna Jena (35) the wife of Anama Jena of village  Palatapur    under Dalijoda forest range  within Bari block     was dragged away by a  crocodile  when she was washing utensils in the river.  Some locals  raised the alarm and tried to save her    . But the reptile dragged her into the  river and killed her in the presence of some locals . After a few hours villagers, fire brigade personnel and forest guards  fished out  her  half- eaten  body  in the  river   “ , said   Abhiram Jena the forest range officer of Dalijoda forest range.

 “The forest department will provide a compensation amount of  six  lakh  rupees to the family members of the crocodile victim after due inquiry”,  added the  forest officer .

 A crocodile killed a man  of Bari block in Jajpur district   for the first time around  80 kilometers from Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district known as the abode of saltwater crocodiles.  Large numbers of river-side villagers are  now afraid of using river water for any purpose ,  said    Sarat   Behera, a fisherman of Bari.