A 65-year-old woman was attacked by a leopard in Bahraich district on Sunday morning, triggering panic in the area. The incident occurred in Kodri village under Shivpur block when Surja Devi was sitting outside her home. The leopard emerged from nearby bushes and pounced on her, inflicting deep wounds on her neck and hands.
Villagers Rescue Woman
Hearing her screams, family members and villagers rushed to the scene. The leopard abandoned the attack and fled towards the forest after seeing the gathering crowd and hearing loud noises. Villagers said their prompt intervention prevented a possible fatality. The injured woman was immediately taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Shivpur, where doctors provided initial treatment and said she was out of danger.
Rising Fear Among Residents
The incident has heightened fear among residents of the area, which has witnessed repeated leopard sightings and attacks in recent months. Villagers said leopard movement near human settlements has become frequent despite efforts by the forest department to capture the animal. Residents have demanded stronger action from the forest department, alleging that existing measures have failed to prevent the leopard from entering inhabited areas. The department has already installed four cages in the region to monitor and capture the animal, but villagers said the threat persists.
Forest Department Response
Forest officials said leopard activity has been reported repeatedly from the area and teams have been monitoring the situation. Deputy Ranger Amit Kumar Verma said a forest department team was dispatched immediately after receiving information about the attack. "The team inspected the site and collected evidence. Preliminary findings suggest that the attack was carried out by a leopard. Villagers have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid venturing alone into fields and forested areas," Verma said.
Series of Leopard Attacks in Bahraich
The latest attack adds to a series of leopard-related incidents reported across Bahraich. On May 28, a couple identified as Ramawati (48) and Rameshwar were attacked while working in a field in Pandit Purwa under Motipur Range. On May 25, Fazlur Rahman (70), his son Zuber, and Naseem were injured in an attack in Mauji Purwa village under Chakiya Range. Earlier, on May 22, a 12-year-old girl, Ruchi, was attacked while cutting grass near the Saryu riverbank in Mangalpurwa village under Shivpur. Other attacks have also been reported from Katarniaghat and Sujauli ranges in recent weeks.
Safety Advisory for Residents
Forest officials have advised residents not to lie down or pretend to be dead if attacked by a leopard. Instead, they should protect their face and neck, resist forcefully, raise an alarm, seek immediate medical treatment if injured, and promptly inform the forest department. The department continues to monitor the area amid growing concern among villagers over the recurring attacks.
