The wild boar sleeping near the new building.Sabarimala: A wild boar has gone on the rampage attacking people at Sabarimala Sannidhanam. The latest victims include a police officer, who came for Sabarimala duty. With the seven more people bitten, the total number of injured persons has risen to 28.
Those who suffered wounds were given first aid at Sannidhanam Government Hospital and referred to Kottayam Medical College Hospital. They are, Pathanamthitta Vigilance CI Muhammed Ismail (44), Ramaraj (37) of Theni, Ramesh (47) of Kumbakonam, Sajeev Kumar (37) of Coimbatore, Ramanath (40) of Nagercoil, Sundara Mahalingam (42) of Chennai and Krishnamoorthy of Bengaluru.
The beast, which slept throughout the day beside a new building where offerings are kept, woke up by 8 pm and attacked people all around. Pilgrims heading to the shrine by the northern side and those waiting in queue to offer ‘neyyabhishekam’ were those injured.
The veterinary officer of the Forest Department at Thekkady Dr. Abdul Fath, along with Forest special officers A L Sanush and Sudheer reached Sannidhanam and made inquiries. Though the wild boar was still around, they did not capture it, saying there was no proof that this particular beast was the culprit.
Normally, wild boars attack with their tusks. They resort to biting other animals and people when becoming rabid. To confirm rabies, the boar has to be strictly observed. The injured persons have been given only one dose of the anti-rabies injection.
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