Panic spreads in Mandi after leopard attack

Tribune News Service

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Mandi, January 12

Panic has spread in the Balichowki areas of Aut subdivision of the district after a leopard entered a house at Lohachadi village and attacked the owner.

House owner Dhani Ram (56) was injured and was rushed to a hospital in Kullu where his condition was stated to be stable.

Sources said sheep and goats were kept on the first floor of the four-storey house. At 2.30 am yesterday, the leopard entered the house to prey on the animals. When Dhani Ram heard the cries of the animals, he came down and tried to shoo away the leopard with a stick. The leopard attacked Dhani Ram, who suffered injuries on his eye, head, arms and hands.

Village chief Hem Singh Thakur said fear spread in the area thereafter. He urged the Forest Department to catch the wild animal.

Conservator of Forests Harsh Vardhan Karthuria said compensation would be given to the victim and a team of forest officials had been sent to the village to observe the movement of the animal.