Operation Bhediya Explained: How UP cops are chasing pack of blood-thirsty wolves
In response to the terror unleashed by a blood-thirsty pack of wolves in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district, the state government is going all-out with 'Operation Bhediya'. At least seven deaths have been attributed to wolf attacks in Mehsi tehsil of the district.
This operation aims to capture the wolves responsible for a series of fatal attacks and widespread fear among local residents. The Forest Department, equipped with drone cameras and thermal mapping technology, has been assigned to bring the wolves under control as part of the operation.
How many wolves caught so far?
As of the latest updates, three wolves have been captured during the ongoing operation. However, authorities remain uncertain about the total number of wolves in the area. The Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife), Sanjay Srivastava, confirmed that 16 teams and 12 district-level officers are actively involved in the operation. Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator Renu Singh will oversee the operation until all wolves are captured.
Divisional Forest Officer Ajeet Pratap, responding to the footage received, stated: "Our drones have captured the movement of a wolf near the village. We have alerted the people in the village. We spotted two wolves on our drone footage, nearly 100 metres away from our location. We went to the spot and noticed their footprints, confirming that two wolves had passed through here."
Further actions taken by the UP Government
The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is closely monitoring 'Operation Bhediya.' District Magistrate Monika Rani has reported several measures taken to ensure public safety. These include installing doors on houses and conducting night patrols across affected villages.
ASHA workers have been tasked with raising awareness about the situation and advising residents on safety precautions. The Forest Department has been working tirelessly, with drone surveillance and on-ground teams focusing on locating and capturing the remaining wolves.
Scare to the villagers
The wolf attacks have created a severe scare among the villagers. In the past month and a half, six children and one woman have been killed, and around 30 people have been injured. The latest attack occurred on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday in a village within Bahraich.
In response to the escalating danger, BJP MLA Sureshwar Singh and others patrolled the area with rifles and sticks to boost local morale and alert the community.
Ex-Gratia announced
In light of the tragic incidents, the district administration has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of four deceased individuals. Payments for the remaining victims will be processed shortly.
Forest Minister Arun Saxena visited the affected families and reassured them that the department is committed to resolving the issue. He urged residents to avoid sleeping outdoors, keep their doors securely locked, and remain vigilant.