Bagaha/Patna: A woman was seriously injured after a crocodile allegedly attacked her and attempted to drag her into a canal in Bihar’s Bagaha on Sunday morning before a local resident intervened to rescue her, police and eyewitnesses said.
The incident occurred in the Sirsia-Naurangia police station area while the woman was walking to her fields.
Villager Rushes To Woman’s Rescue
According to eyewitnesses, the crocodile clamped its jaws around the woman and began pulling her towards the canal.
Hearing her screams, farmers working nearby rushed to the scene. Among them was Aslam Baitha, who reportedly confronted the crocodile with sticks and clubs despite the danger.
Witnesses said Baitha repeatedly struck the reptile until it released the woman, preventing it from dragging her into the water.
Residents said the intervention was crucial and believed the woman would not have survived had the crocodile managed to reach deeper water.
Woman Referred To Bettiah Hospital
The injured woman has been identified as Basmati Devi, 35, wife of Jitendra Manjhi.
Police reached the spot after receiving information about the attack and, with the assistance of local residents, took her to the Sub-Divisional Hospital in Bagaha.
After providing first aid, doctors referred her to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bettiah, for specialised treatment.
Dr Pushpraj, who treated the woman at the Bagaha hospital, said she had been referred because of the seriousness of her injuries.
Villagers Demand Action
Following the attack, local residents demanded that the Forest Department capture the crocodile and relocate it to a safer habitat.
Villagers also called for stronger safety measures along the canal, alleging that the same crocodile had been involved in a previous fatal attack. That claim has not been independently verified by authorities.
The incident has heightened concerns among residents living near the canal, with many urging the administration to act quickly to prevent further attacks.
