BETTIAH, July 17 -- A 64-year-old farmer was critically injured by a bear while he was grazing his goats in a field near the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district on Wednesday morning. The victim was identified as Baliram Mahato, 64, a resident of Govardhana village in Ramnagar block of the said district. "While the goats were grazing, my grandfather was taking a rest near a sugarcane field. Suddenly, a bear came out of the field and pounced on him," said Ramakant Kumar, victim's grandson while speaking to HT at government medical college and hospital (GMCH), Bettiah. The animal escaped into the sugarcane field again after villagers went after it upon hearing the distress call from Mahato, said Ramakant. "All the necessary medication is being administered," said a healthcare staff tending to his wounds. When contacted, Dr. Nesamani K, conservator and field director of Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) said the incident has come to our notice. "Apart from bearing his medical expenses, the forest department would provide compensation as per rule," said Dr. Nesamani. Meanwhile, a wave of fear has gripped villages in Gorberdhana forest range on VTR after the incident. "Our team is on toes and patrolling has been intensified to send the animal back in the forest," said a forest officer....