Pathanamthitta (Kerala): A wild boar that strayed from a neighbouring forest charged into a roadside mini-supermarket in Ranni of Pathanamthitta district on Sunday morning, leaving the woman shopkeeper injured, police reported.

The victim, identified as Beena, suffered a severe injury to her hand in the incident, which took place at approximately 8.30 am.

CCTV footage broadcast by television networks captured the moments the animal unexpectedly sprinted into the premises and lunged at the woman, who fled the shop in panic. Alerted by her cries for help, local residents rushed to the scene, causing the wild boar to bolt from the shop and flee down the busy thoroughfare.

Recounting the ordeal to journalists, Beena said, "I had just opened the shop and was arranging the items when the wild boar suddenly came inside and attacked me. It was completely unexpected. I tried to stop it with my hands." She further revealed that the wound required three stitches.

A local resident pointed out that while wild boar sightings have been on the rise in the region, this marks the first time an animal has invaded a commercial establishment in broad daylight. The resident also criticised the Forest Department for failing to implement decisive action, despite numerous grievances raised by the community regarding wildlife encroaching into residential areas.

According to the police, the local panchayat possesses the legal authority to cull wild boars under current regulations, and appropriate measures are currently being pursued.

PTI