Fear has tightened its grip on the hilly districts of Uttarakhand as a sharp rise in wild animal attacks brings daily life to a frightening halt. The latest incident, a terrifying leopard assault on a man inside a residential area, has amplified calls for urgent safety measures.
Midnight Terror in Rataun
The attack unfolded in the dead of night, around 1 am on Thursday, in the Rataun area near Chaukhutia town limits in Almora. Chandan Ram, aged 58, a resident of Bhatkot village, was living in a rented house with his daughter when the nightmare began.
According to people who saw the event, frantic barking by local dogs first alerted the family to danger. Moments later, a leopard climbed down from the roof using the staircase and positioned itself near the entrance, lying in wait.
When Chandan opened the door to check on the commotion, the big cat launched a sudden and brutal attack. The leopard dragged the man down the stairs towards the lower floor of the house. His daughter's screams raised the alarm, bringing neighbours rushing to the spot.
Severe Injuries and Escalating Fear
Startled by the growing crowd and noise, the predator retreated towards the roof and vanished into the darkness. The attack left Chandan with severe injuries, including deep claw wounds on his face, neck, and head.
He was rushed to the Community Health Centre in Chaukhutia around 2 am, where medical staff had to apply more than 35 stitches to his wounds. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, he was referred to a higher medical facility in Almora on Friday.
This attack comes within just 24 hours of a bear attacking two women in the Chaukdi forests of the same region. The back-to-back incidents have triggered widespread panic and anger among local residents.
Residents Demand Action, Forest Department Responds
People living in these areas report that encounters with leopards and bears are becoming frighteningly common, even near human settlements. The community is demanding immediate intervention from the forest authorities.
Their key demands include:
- Intensive night patrolling in vulnerable zones.
- Close monitoring of leopard movement patterns.
- Implementation of preventive measures to ensure public safety.
Responding to the crisis, Forest Range Officer Gopal Joshi stated that the injured man has been provided with immediate financial assistance of Rs 10,000. He also confirmed that forest department teams have ramped up their efforts.
"Forest department teams have increased night patrols in the affected areas and are closely tracking the movement of wild animals to prevent further incidents," Joshi said.
However, for the terrified residents of Almora's hills, these measures need to translate into visible safety on the ground, as the boundary between the wild and their homes grows increasingly thin.
