An eleven-year old Nepali girl was injured in a leopard attack near Bangwari village adjoining the district headquarters in Pauri on Friday evening. The leopard attacked the girl outside her residence and took her towards the forest. But a bush there saved the girl from being killed by the beast. However, the frequent leopard attacks in the heart of the town and in the adjoining villages have triggered panic among the locals. The victim was identified as Bimla, residing with her parents in the Satyakhal-Bangwari road near Bangwari village.
This is the second incident of leopard attack in nearby villages of the district headquarter in a period of 14 days. No cage has been set up so far by the forest department to catch the big cat to ensure safety of the people. The leopard has been seen prowling around at many places around the Pauri town.
The injured girl was taken to district hospital where she went under the knife at 9 pm on Friday. Dr Sharma told The Pioneer that the big cat had scratched the girl on her face, neck, stomach, hand and legs badly. However, the condition of her face was the worst with the muscle being broken. The treatment is in progress, he said, adding that she was out of danger.
Divisional forest officer Raj Mani Pandey said the forest department would send a team to patrol the area where the leopard is on the rampage. He further assured cages will be installated there on Sunday.