Two injured in bear attack

Kadiri (Anantapur): Two persons sustained grievous injuries when a bear attacked them at Vanchireddypally village, in Odi Cheruvu mandal, of Anantapur district on Friday.

The bear, which ventured out from the nearby forest, pounced on Rangaramappa and Venkatramana. Villagers, who saw the animal, shooed it away with sticks. But the bear, while fleeing, attacked Ratnakar and Ramulu, who were travelling on a two- wheeler. The enraged villagers killed the bear by stoning it. Rangaramppa and Venkatramana were shifted to the Kadiri Area Hospital in 108 ambulance.

Minister for IT, Information and Public Relations Palle Raghunatha Reddy visited the hospital and announced Rs 5,000 compensation each to the injured persons.

Reddy told the media later that he had consoled the injured persons, who are undergoing treatment. He directed doctors to provide better treatment.

The Minister stated that government hospitals in the State would be developed on a par with private hospitals. He checked records and attendance of doctors and other staff at the hospital.

He enquired from the in-charge, Dr Ramakrishna, about the conditions, requirement of doctors, equipment, employees, medicines and technicians to cater to the needs of patients. He directed in-charge to submit a report on the hospital’s requirements so that he can pursue with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

“I am paying surprise visits to government hospitals. Doctors and medical staff should provide good treatment to patients without negligence. The staff should maintain cleanliness as part of the ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign and ‘Swachhandhra programmes,’ Reddy stated