Bear hurts 9 in MP

Umaria, MP, Apr 15 (UNI) Nine villagers, including two women and a child, have been injured -- four of them critically -- by a bear at this district's Bijauri and Karoundi Tola villages that adjoin a jungle, Forest Department sources said.

The beast emerged from the woods early yesterday and targeted homes before fleeing. The severely hurt victims, including two women, were rushed to the district hospital. The rest were admitted to a primary health centre at Manpur.

''Attempts are underway to trap the animal,'' Manpur's Sub-Divisional Officer (Forest) R N Verma told UNI. The Department announced Rs 500 each as immediate assistance for the victims.

UNI