Leopard Attacks Leave One Dead, One Critically Injured in Bahraich
Panic has gripped the Fakharpur and Sujauli ranges of Bahraich after two separate leopard attacks on Wednesday evening resulted in the death of a woman and left a young boy fighting for his life. The incidents, occurring within an hour of each other, have prompted an immediate response from forest officials who have issued alerts and intensified patrolling in the affected villages.
Tragic Evenings: Details of the Attacks
The first and fatal attack took place around dusk in Umri Dehlo village under the Fakharpur area. Shanti, 55, had stepped out into a field to relieve herself. Unbeknownst to her, a leopard was lying in wait, concealed within a thick sugarcane field. The big cat launched a sudden attack, inflicting severe wounds.
Villagers, alerted by her screams, rushed to the scene, which caused the leopard to retreat. Despite their efforts and subsequent medical treatment, Shanti succumbed to her deep injuries on her neck, face, and torso at the Bahraich Medical College.
Barely an hour later, tragedy struck again in Bardiya village within the Sujauli range. The victim this time was Irshad, 8, son of Aqeel, who was returning home after offering evening prayers at a local mosque. As he passed a cluster of dense bushes, another leopard targeted him.
The child's desperate cries alerted the villagers, who initiated a coordinated hānkā or noise drive. Their collective shouting and commotion forced the leopard to release the boy and flee. Irshad suffered critical wounds to his neck and throat. He was initially rushed to the Sujauli Primary Health Centre and later referred to Bahraich Medical College, where he remains in severe condition.
Official Response and Growing Fear
In the wake of these back-to-back attacks, forest department officials have sprung into action. District Forest Officer Ram Singh Yadav confirmed that the Fakharpur incident was a definite leopard attack. He stated, "A team has been sent to the site to track pugmarks, study movement patterns, and assess the immediate threat to villagers."
Echoing the urgency, Katarniaghat Range Officer Ashish Gaur detailed the measures being taken around Bardiya village. "We have deployed multiple forest squads in the area," he said. "We have increased night patrolling and strongly advised villagers not to allow children or the elderly to move alone, especially after evening."
The twin attacks have left the local community traumatised. Many residents are now demanding the installation of temporary cages, camera traps, and continuous night patrols to prevent further tragedies. The region's vast and dense sugarcane fields, which offer perfect camouflage for leopards and other wildlife, are considered a major factor behind the repeated human-animal conflicts, particularly during the harvest season.
