Palghar: Forest Department officials are still on the lookout for a leopard which reportedly attacked two brothers in separate incidents on May 21 in Gholvad locality of Lilakpada in Dahanu, Palghar. The leopard was reportedly sighted on Tuesday as well, but was still evading the forest officials, according to sources.
The first incident occurred on May 21, at approximately 2:30 pm, when Sunil Vayada, a labourer working on a Chikoo farm near Kosbad in Dahanu Taluka, ventured into a yard to investigate why dogs in the area were barking furiously. He sighted the leopard which lunged at him. However, he managed to escape with bite marks on his hand. He was given medical assistance at Gholvad Primary Health Centre.
Leopard attacks victim's brother
In a strange turn of events, the same evening the leopard injured Laxman Vadaya, Sunil's brother when employees of a domestic steel buffing unit tried to scare the leopard off when it had found its way among the dried rice straws put out to dry.
Around 200 people from neighboring villages gathered to ward off the predator. However, despite their efforts, the leopard managed made a swift getaway.
Laxman was rushed to the Dahanu Subdistrict Hospital for necessary medical attention.
Forest officials promptly provided a monetary compensation of ₹5 thousand to each of the injured.
Forest department raises awareness
Forest Department officials have heightened their vigilance in the area and issued strict instructions to locals, urging them to avoid venturing out alone after 6 pm.
Additionally, camera traps and other animal-catching mechanisms have been deployed to capture the elusive leopard.
