Leopard on prowl, creates panic in Palampur

Palampur, May 28

Villagers of the upper area of Palampur are spending sleepless nights and forced to step out of their houses in groups to trap a leopard prowling in the area.

During a visit to the affected villages, residents said they had been living in fear. They were unable to do their routine work in fields for the past two days, they said.

The leopard killed two cows, belonging to Om Parkash and Chatter Sen, they said. The cows were grazing in the adjoining forest and in the nearby Kavait village. After this, it killed a pet, inside the house.

The Forest Department has deployed its staff in the area to locate the animal. As per the local panchayat pradhan, the presence of the leopard had forced farmers to remain indoors. “We are unable to move out to fetch fodder from the forest for the animals or look after the crops. People don’t leave their homes without carrying sticks,” said villagers.

The administration has issued safety guidelines to villagers, told them to not leave their homes after 6 pm and take care of children, who can be an easy target. — OC