ATHAGARH ; The people of 27 villages under five gram panchayats in Athagarh sub-division, who have been included under Satkosia Tiger Reserve, are spending sleepless nights ever since Royal Bengal tigress Sundari killed an old man Trinath Sahu in Tainsi of Angul district.
The villages, within Kamaladiha, Regeda, Basantapur, Chakamunda and Judumu gram panchayats under Narsinghpur block have been a part of STR since 1977. But, now the people are demanding that these villages be detached from the reserve area so that they could collect forest produce and fish in Mahanadi gorge.
Last year, locals had sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik with more than 3,000 signatures over the issue. Later, local MLA Debi Prasad Mishra met the CM, who reportedly assured that a solution will be found out.
Even as the Government is yet to act on the demand, two tigers were released into Satkosia for breeding. After the attack by Sundari, the villagers are panicky fearing attack by the tigress.As per information, villagers of Jilinda, Balikiari, Baravaya, Debhuin and Olab are not sending their children to schools nor are they coming out of their homes after sunset or before sunrise.