As soon as the lock was opened, the tiger named 'Shivaji' came straight out and pounced on the cleaning women. Panic ensued among the women upon seeing the tiger. Five women saved their lives by immediately running outside, while one woman climbed a nearby tree.
Sugna Devi tried to escape by climbing the iron fence of the enclosure, but the tiger pulled her down by her leg and mauled her to death.
Allegations of major security lapse and negligence
This accident has raised serious questions about the security system and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Nahargarh Biological Park. According to the rules, the cage of a tiger or other violent animals is not opened as long as there is any human activity in the enclosure.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the on-duty forest guard opened the gate without ensuring that all the women had come out of the enclosure. This one major lapse cost Sugna Devi her life.
Family's protest and key demands
The deceased, Sugna Devi, was a resident of Nangal Susavatan village near Jaipur. As soon as the news reached the village, a wave of mourning spread. Hundreds of villagers, family members, and local representatives gathered outside the Nahargarh Park and began a sit-in protest.
The protestors refused to allow a post-mortem of the body and remained firm on their demands.
The main demands of the protestors:
- An immediate FIR should be registered against the guilty employees and the forest guard, and legal action should be taken.
- The victim's family should receive a relief amount of ₹1 crore.
- Both of the deceased's children should be given government jobs according to their qualifications.
Administration's response and investigation order
Given the seriousness of the situation, senior officials from the Jaipur Police and the Forest Department arrived at the scene. The administration is trying to persuade the family to send the body for post-mortem.
Forest department officials have assured compensation of ₹10 lakh and contractual jobs for the deceased's two children under the provisions of the Forest Act. However, the family members are adamant about their demands. The forest department has also ordered a departmental inquiry into the matter.
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