Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh | August 3, 2026: A woman in her 30s lost her life after a suspected tiger attack in Parrapur Baigatola village under the Khapa Range of Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district during the early hours of Sunday. The tragic incident has created panic among residents living on the forest fringes, where tiger and leopard movement has reportedly increased in recent months.
The victim has been identified as Sugni Bai Dhurve, a resident of Parrapur Baigatola village in Kumadehi Panchayat, located approximately 80 km from the Balaghat district headquarters. According to family members and villagers, Sugni Bai was sleeping inside her hut, which reportedly had no door, at around 1:30 AM when a tiger entered the village from the nearby forest.
The tiger allegedly grabbed her by the head with its jaws and dragged her out of the hut. Villagers stated that the animal pulled her for nearly 300 metres toward a nearby field while repeatedly mauling her. Reports indicate that the tiger inflicted multiple injuries with its claws and caused severe head trauma. Some reports also stated that the animal partially mauled the victim’s skull during the attack.
Hearing the screams of the victim and her family, relatives and nearby villagers rushed to the scene carrying torches and making loud noises. The bright torchlight and commotion reportedly startled the tiger, causing it to abandon the woman and retreat back into the forest.
A video that surfaced after the incident reportedly shows the blood-soaked victim struggling with critical injuries shortly after the attack. The footage has circulated widely, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Villagers immediately shifted Sugni Bai to Baihar Hospital for emergency treatment. However, due to the extent of her injuries, she succumbed during treatment.
Dr. Anant Lilhare, Block Medical Officer (BMO) at Baihar Hospital, confirmed that the woman suffered extremely serious head injuries in the tiger attack. Following a post-mortem examination, her body was handed over to the family.
Forest officials confirmed that the incident is under investigation. Ashish Pandey, Assistant Director of the Sijhora Buffer Zone, stated that a detailed report will be prepared after the ongoing inquiry is completed. He said the department is collecting all necessary information before releasing the final findings.
Police have registered a case of accidental (sudden) death, and further investigation is currently underway.
The Forest Department noted that Parrapur Baigatola village, situated close to the forests of Kanha National Park, has witnessed several incidents of tigers and leopards venturing into human settlements over the past few months. Villagers claimed they had repeatedly informed the Forest Department about frequent sightings of big cats near their homes before the attack. The latest incident has triggered widespread fear throughout the village.
Following the tragedy, Forest Department teams reached the village and announced several precautionary measures. Officials said a cage will be installed in the area to capture any tiger or leopard that strays into the settlement, while forest patrolling will be intensified to monitor wildlife movement.
Authorities have also appealed to villagers to keep their house doors securely closed at night, avoid venturing into forest areas unnecessarily, and ensure that children and elderly family members are not left unattended, especially after dark.
Officials confirmed that the victim’s family will receive financial assistance in accordance with government compensation norms for wildlife conflict cases.
Meanwhile, local representatives highlighted the poor living conditions of the victim’s family. They claimed that Sugni Bai’s family had been living in a doorless hut and had not received benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana, a central government scheme aimed at the socio-economic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Janpad President Sammalsingh Dhurve said an investigation would be conducted into why eligible residents of Parrapur village were deprived of benefits under the scheme. He added that efforts would be made to provide housing assistance and ensure that the victim’s family and other eligible villagers receive the benefits of government welfare schemes at the earliest.
The incident once again highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict around protected forest areas. As investigations continue, forest authorities are expected to strengthen surveillance and implement additional safety measures to reduce the risk of similar incidents in villages bordering Kanha National Park.
