Keonjhar: Violence erupted at the forest-side Kheriadiha village in Sadar forest division after three persons, including an ancillary forest employee, were killed by a rogue sloth bear on Monday.

At least a dozen others were injured in the bear attack.

A mob of local residents captured the animal after its killed three persons and hacked the bear to death. The mob also beat up forest department personnel, who had visited the spot in the wake of the attack.

Those killed in the bear attack are Bideshi Mahakud, 38, a contractual forest guard, and local residents Naba Kisore Naik, 45, and Niladri Naik, 36.

Forest department officials suspect liquor played a part in the bear's attack.

"Widespread preparation of handia, a local traditional brew, attracts wild bears to stray into the villages. We suspect that the animal had turned tipsy. We have never seen a bear in such a violent mood as it was on Monday," said Patna range forester Bhupati Sethy.

The incident occurred when the sloth bear had strayed into a village orchard. It attacked a villager during the early hours of Monday. Later, forest department personnel rushed to the spot to disperse it by bursting crackers. However, the action infuriated the animal and it attacked the forest department employees and local residents.

"The animal might have killed more people. We resorted to blank fire to frighten it," Sethy said.

The forest employees tried to chase the animal back to its habitation in a nearby forest. However, a hide-and-seek game ensued as the animal gave the forest personnel the slip several times before being caught and killed by residents.

"Residents of villages close to the forest have been warned and asked to refrain from venturing into the forest areas. Wild animals like bears are often found roaming in the area," said Patna forest range officer Muktikant Roy Mahapatra.