For the residents in and around Tovinakere the fear of bear attack seems unbearable!

Even a person wrapped in black cloth seems to scare the villagers. The farmers couldn’t go to fields for work alone and in the early hours and they have to stop the work early in the evening - all due to the fear of bear attack. The village is abuzz with bear talks these days.

Earlier the pig menace had disturbed the farmers in the neighbouring villages. With pig menace coming under control, it seems, the bears have taken charge to trouble villagers. The bears which are said to be aplenty in Javinda Betta, Dasharatarayanabetta and other places, come down to villages at night on their hunt for food, though it’s not a jackfruit season. With their routine works disturbed the villagers have sought protection from the bear attack.

Youth attacked
Vasantakumar, a youth from the village was attacked by the bear and his condition is still critical. Already the poor family has spent Rs 80,000 on the treatment and it found the medical expenses unbearable. The family has nothing but half an acre land to sustain.  His mother Chikkamma has to look after the son now and with the son undergoing treatment, meeting square meal a day has turned difficult for her.  The villagers have sought financial assistance for the family.