Bear attacks WB cop on election duty at TNA

GANGTOK, 11 Apr: A service personnel from the Kolkata Armed Police was attacked by a bear in the wee hours this morning. RB Adhikar, an ASI with the Kolkata Armed Police deputed on election duty to Sikkim, was attacked by a Himalayan Black Bear at around 5 a.m. this morning at the TNA complex.

Mr. Adhikari, along with other KAP personnel, had been stationed there to guard the EVM strong-room and was detailed on ballot box security duty. The EVMs are being housed at the auditorium at Tashi Namgyal Academy and KAP is the force deployed by the Election Commission of India to Sikkim as security for the elections as well as for guarding the strong rooms.

Mr. Adhikari, it is informed, suffered serious injuries in the bear attack with the skin on his face and head partially peeled off. He has also suffered injuries on his thighs and legs. He was taken to Siliguri by the KAP later in the day.

The ASI had gone to the toilet at the TNA complex at around 5 a.m. and was pounced upon by the bear as he was emerging from the toilet. According to reports, the ASI tried to fight off the bear and was soon joined in by his KAP colleagues. They managed to chase the bear away and Mr. Adhikari was rushed to the emergency ward of the STNM Hospital and later transferred to the surgical ward where he was bandaged and stitched up.