Crocodile enters Neemuch village injures 2 during delayed rescue operation

UJJAIN: Panic swept through Hanumantia Ravji village in Thadoli Gram Panchayat, Neemuch, early on Sunday morning after a large crocodile entered the area and injured two residents during rescue operations that lacked proper equipment.The female crocodile, believed to have emerged from a nullah due to continuous rains and rising river levels, was spotted wandering the village around 4 am. Villagers quickly alerted the forest department and police.A police team arrived following the intimation, but forest department personnel did not reach the scene until 9 am. Villagers stated that the forest team lacked essential safety equipment, such as cages and ropes, necessary for conducting a safe rescue operation.During the attempt to capture the crocodile, it suddenly rushed towards the village, causing chaos among the residents. Two villagers, including Mohanlal, son of Gheesalal Sudhar, were injured and admitted to the district hospital. With the assistance of the villagers, the crocodile was eventually captured and released into the Gandhi Sagar reservoir.According to Madanlal Dhangar, the representative of the rural and district council chairman, the Neemuch City police personnel arrived upon receiving the information, but the forest department team only arrived at 9 am, five hours after reporting the incident, and did not have the necessary rescue equipment.

DFO SK Atode said, “Villagers initially reported the incident in the Manasa range, but the information reached us late. Due to vehicle issues in Neemuch, it took time to reach the location. However, we had the necessary rope to capture the crocodile.” He added that he is not aware of any villagers being injured in the crocodile attack.Residents expressed their frustration over the forest department's delayed response and the absence of adequate safety gear and equipment for the rescue mission. They stated, "The incident could have been avoided with timely and well-prepared action."