Beast declared man-eater, hunters take up position

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 15

The Dehradun district forest authorities have declared as man eater the leopard that killed 17-year-old girl at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) yesterday.

The announcement comes after FRI employees and villagers living around the FRI staged a demonstration. The villagers ghearoed the Forest Department and the FRI officials seeking prompt action against the leopard.

Dehradun Sub Divisional Officer Gulvir Singh said the leopard had been declared man eater and a team of hunters led by Sanjay Singh from Moradabad had reached the FRI to kill it. The forest authorities are expecting the leopard to return to the FRI on Sunday night, thus providing them an opportunity to shoot it. Hunter Sanjay Singh had shot a man eater leopard at Fulsani village in the Premnagar area of Dehradun some time ago.

Meanwhile, the Dehradun forest authorities have given a cheque for Rs 1 lakh to the affected family and assured it of more assistance.