A tragic incident occurred at Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur on Wednesday morning, wherein a 42-year-old laborer named Sugna Devi lost her life due to a tiger attack.
Devi, along with several female laborers, had entered a tiger enclosure to gather grass when the cage of a tiger named Shivaji unexpectedly opened. This allowed the tiger to escape and subsequently attack her.
Kamla, Sugna’s sister, recounted the terrifying moment: “There were seven of us – three were cutting grass while the remaining four, including myself, were clearing it away. Sugna was balancing the cut grass on her head when she noticed that the tiger’s cage had been opened. She immediately discarded the grass and ran towards us. We managed to climb over the fence to escape. We shouted for help, but no one could hear us.”
While five women successfully scaled the fence, one chose to climb a nearby tree. The survivors revealed that Sugna attempted to escape as well but was tragically dragged down by the tiger, which resulted in her fatal injuries. In the aftermath of her death, family members and relatives gathered to protest, demanding compensation for their loss.
Dr. Ashish Vyas, the Deputy Conservator of Forests, confirmed that the cage was opened by Hansa, the individual responsible for the Tiger Enclosure, who has since been suspended. This action was taken due to negligence and a breach of safety protocols as it was time to relocate the tiger to a public display area. Vyas stated that an assistant conservator of forests has been assigned to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the specifics surrounding the incident, including the examination of security measures, adherence to standard operating procedures, CCTV footage, and other relevant documentation. He assured that appropriate actions would follow the investigation’s conclusions.
In light of the demands from Sugna’s family, Vyas mentioned that officials from the administration and the forest department met with the family and local villagers to provide counseling and ensure that they receive the necessary support as per regulations.
Additionally, Vyas announced a comprehensive review of the park’s security protocols, pledging enhancements where necessary.
Hamza Khan is a dedicated correspondent for The Indian Express, focusing on the politically vibrant state of Rajasthan. Based in Jaipur, he offers in-depth coverage of governance, legal matters, and social issues, embodying the publication’s commitment to “Journalism of Courage.”
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