Motihari: Jihuli village in East Champaran, located on the banks of the Bagmati river, has been gripped by fear after repeated attacks by a pack of jackals over the past week, leaving residents afraid to step out after dark.The latest attack took place on Wednesday evening when the jackals entered the village and mauled more than six people, causing serious injuries. Panic spread as villagers rushed out with iron rods and bamboo sticks to rescue the injured and drive the animals away. Residents claimed the jackals had turned aggressive after feeding on rotten flesh.About a month ago, a woman was critically injured in a similar attack and is still undergoing treatment at a hospital.Villagers said the jackals easily leap over boundary walls to enter residential compounds, targeting women, children and elderly people. Goats have also fallen prey to the attacks.The injured were taken to the additional health centre at Jihuli for anti-rabies shots, but the vaccine was unavailable. They were later shifted to a hospital in neighbouring Sheohar district for treatment.After receiving information about the attacks, East Champaran DM Saurabh Suman Yadav directed the civil surgeon to send a medical team with life-saving medicines and anti-rabies vaccines to the village. The team is treating the injured and advising residents on safety measures. The forest department has also been alerted to drive the jackals out of the area.
