MP: Six dead within 12 days as 'unidentified animal' bites 17 people during sleep; rabies suspected
Indore, Jun 3 (PTI): Six people died under mysterious circumstances in the last 12 days after being bitten by an unidentified animal in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh, prompting various government departments to launch an investigation, officials said on Tuesday.
It is suspected that this animal was infected with the rabies virus, but it is yet to confirmed, they said.
Talking to PTI, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dr Devendra Romede said, "An unidentified animal bit 17 people in the rural areas of Barwani district on May 5 in the early hours, following which they were given anti-rabies injection on being informed about it."
He said that six of these people died between May 23 and June 2, he said.
Barwani's Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ashish Bansod said, "The unknown animal bit 17 people within about three hours. It seems the animal was infected with the rabies virus. We are continuously trying to find the animal, but it has not been found yet."
The DFO said the Limbai village where this animal attacked sleeping people before sunrise is about 4.5 km away from the forest boundary.
"These people were sleeping in the open outside their homes due to the heat. They say that this animal looked like a dog, but at present this creature has not been identified yet," he said.
Barwani District Magistrate Ghuncha Sanobar said, "We are looking into all aspects under a detailed investigation of the case. A team of experts from Khandwa's Government Medical College has reached the spot and conducted an investigation. The viscera of the deceased have been sent to a laboratory in Delhi."
"Whether the six people died due to rabies or not can be told only once the investigation report comes," she said.
The official said the forest department has initiated the process of giving compensation of Rs 8 lakh each to the kin of those who died after being attacked by the animal.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA and tribal leader Hiralal Alawa of Barwani's neighbouring Dhar district has -alleged that six persons died in the attack by the yet-to-be-identified animal not being vaccinated on time.
He has written a letter to the state Chief Minister Mohan Yadav demanding that the families of the deceased in this incident be given a compensation of Rs 50 lakh each and the injured be given Rs 20 lakh each.
Indore's Government Maharaja Yashwantrao Chikitsalaya (MYH) Superintendent Dr Ashok Yadav said five people who were attacked by the animal were sent to MYH, but after receiving treatment for two days, they left the hospital against the doctor's advice.
MYH operates under the Government Mahatma Gandhi Smriti Medical College.
College Dean Dr Arvind Ghanghoria said, "We suspect that six people from Barwani district have died due to rabies. To confirm this, a part of the brain of one of the deceased has been sent to a laboratory in Delhi for examination. The situation will be clear only after the report comes."
Those who died after being bitten by the animal are Raili Bai (60), Mansharam Chhagan (50), Sursingh Malsingh (50), Sadi Bai (60), Chainsingh Umrao (50) and Sunil Jetaria (40), the officials said.
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Passenger slapped during panic attack on IndiGo flight; Goes missing after landing, family seeks ans
Mumbai/Kolkata/Silchar: A shocking incident aboard IndiGo flight 6E138 from Mumbai to Kolkata has gone viral, sparking outrage after a video emerged showing a man being slapped mid-flight while reportedly suffering a panic attack. The victim, identified as Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar from Assam, has since gone missing, and his family is seeking urgent answers.
The video, widely circulated on social media, shows Hossain in visible distress, attempting to leave his seat and reportedly requesting to deboard. As flight attendants tried to calm him down, another passenger suddenly approached and slapped him. The incident triggered immediate protest from fellow travellers.
A young man suffers a panic attack, his co passenger slaps him. Indigo airlines says “All appropriate regulatory agencies have been duly informed, in line with protocol.”
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) August 1, 2025
This is a criminal case and the man needs to be on a No Fly List @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/dY1gQC6ze0
Hossain, a gym trainer based in Mumbai, was en route to his hometown Katigorah in Cachar district via a connecting flight from Kolkata to Silchar. However, he never boarded the Silchar flight, and his mobile phone remains unreachable. His family, who had gathered at the Silchar airport, are now in distress. Zubairul Islam Mazumdar, a relative, said, “We have no idea where he is. We’ve contacted the police and airport authorities but haven’t received any concrete information.” His father, Abdul Mannan Mazumdar, who is undergoing cancer treatment, said tearfully, “He was our only hope. Now we don’t even know if he’s safe.” In a statement issued on August 1, IndiGo Airlines said: “We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew. Our crew acted in accordance with established procedures. The individual identified as unruly was handed over to the security authorities upon arrival. Regulatory agencies have been informed as per protocol.”
We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 1, 2025
Our crew acted in accordance with…
However, the airline's statement has been criticised for failing to clarify what happened to Hossain after the incident, whether he received medical help, was detained, or was allowed to continue his journey.
Weak kneed response from @IndiGo6E . Has the man who got physical with a fellow passenger been put on a no-fly list? Has Indigo followed up on its complaint at point of disembarkation? If the passenger was handed over to the @CISFAirport were charges pressed? pic.twitter.com/qXMnfiBbFE
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) August 1, 2025
The video triggered widespread anger on social media, with many users interpreting the slap as a possible hate-driven act. However, aviation journalist Jagriti Chandra of The Hindu offered a clarification on X, stating: “The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight was handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident occurred after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to deboard. Both belong to the same religious community.”
The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to de board.
— Jagriti Chandra (@jagritichandra) August 1, 2025
Both belong to the same religious community.
Incident on… https://t.co/f0QPXG5hxG
Despite this clarification, concerns remain about the airline's handling of a visibly distressed passenger, particularly in the context of mental health. Unverified posts circulating on social media claim that Hossain was later found, though there has been no official confirmation from authorities or the airline.
Alhamdulillah! Hussain Ahmed Mazumder, who was assaulted on an IndiGo flight while returning from Mumbai to Silchar and went missing, has now been found safe in Kolkata.
— Munir (@tapadar_1314) August 1, 2025
He is stable and in contact with his family. pic.twitter.com/MEGSGzHTk7
