BETTIAH, Oct. 4 -- A 61-year-old farmer was allegedly killed by a tiger near Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in Bihar's West Champaran district earlier this week, officials said. The victim's friends, who witnessed the attack, expressed helplessness at being unable to save him. Eyewitness Ravi Sah said the incident took place on Wednesday evening when he, the victim Kisun Mahato, and another friend were returning to Khekhariya village after grazing their buffaloes along the Manguraha forest range. "Mahato was walking behind us when suddenly a tiger emerged from the forest, pounced on him and dragged him inside. We tried to rescue him after hearing his cries but could only watch as the tiger fled with him," Sah said. Another witness, Jackie Kumar, said he was still shaken by the incident. "We had only heard of such attacks, but this was the first time we saw a death in such a horrifying manner, completely helpless. We are tribal people who have lived on the fringes of the forest for generations, but nothing like this has ever happened before," Kumar said. Forest officials reached the spot after being alerted and recovered Mahato's body two hours later. "We were hoping against hope, but when the body was found, it had been mauled brutally," said Sridevi, the victim's wife. VTR conservator and field director Dr. Neshamani K confirmed that the farmer was attacked outside the forest boundary. "The tiger preyed on him outside the forest area. We are working to provide ex-gratia support to the victim's family," he said....