Bahraich Village Turns to Religious Recitation Amidst Wolf Attacks

Residents of Bahraich village have resorted to reciting the Sunderkand Path, a religious text, to ward off ongoing wolf attacks. Despite efforts from the UP Police and Forest Department, villagers feel frightened and seek divine intervention for safety. The wolves have injured 34 people, heightening local fears.

Residents of Bahraich, a village in Uttar Pradesh, have turned to the recitation of the Sunderkand Path, part of the Ramayana, to protect themselves from ongoing wolf attacks. Villagers, including some using mobile phones, gathered at a local temple to participate in the prayer session.

The village priest explained that the recitation is a response to the fear stemming from the wolf attacks, which have left some dead and others injured. He criticized local authorities for only arriving post-incident and failing to capture the wolves. The priest emphasized that villagers now rely on divine intervention for safety.

Arvind Kumar Singh, a villager, echoed these sentiments, saying that the community feels abandoned by the local administration and forest department. He believes that spiritual efforts are their best hope for protection. Another resident, Ram Raj Verma, highlighted the village's lack of electricity, suggesting that improved infrastructure could prevent further attacks by deterring wolves with light.

The village has recently suffered a gruesome attack on a 5-year-old girl, who was injured during the night but survived thanks to family intervention. Dr. Ashish Verma, Superintendent of the Mahasi Community Health Centre, reported that 34 people have been injured in these attacks to date, with two transferred to the district hospital in stable condition.

Local authorities, under 'Operation Bhediya,' are actively searching for the remaining wolves after previously capturing four. Despite their efforts, the community remains in a state of heightened fear and tension.

(With inputs from agencies.)