A sudden leopard attack in a paddy field left two farmers injured in Dibrugarh district on Sunday morning, triggering a swift response from forest authorities to capture the animal.
Morning Ambush in the Paddy Field
The incident took place around 7 am in Deodhai village, located in the Tiloi Moran area. The victims, Birinchi Phukan (26) and Abhigyan Thakur (21), were on their way to work when the unexpected assault occurred. The leopard, which had been hiding in the field, launched itself at the unsuspecting duo, causing immediate panic.
Despite the suddenness of the attack, both men managed to escape. However, they sustained multiple injuries from the leopard's claws. They received initial treatment at the Tiloi Primary Health Centre before being referred to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh for more advanced care.
Forest Department's Challenging Operation
Alerted by local residents, a team from the Tiloi Forest Range office quickly arrived at the scene. They tracked the leopard to a nearby tea garden where it had taken shelter. The rescue mission, however, turned difficult when the forest team tried to approach.
"The leopard chased after them when the forest team approached it. The forest guards had to resort to blank fire with their rifles to scare the leopard. Firecrackers were also burst to chase the leopard away from the immediate area," explained a forest official. The defensive measures were necessary as the charged animal posed a direct threat to the personnel.
Ongoing Threat and Official Advisory
Despite these efforts, the leopard remained in the vicinity, heightening anxiety among villagers about potential further attacks. To safely capture the animal, forest officials announced plans to install an iron cage in the area during the night.
This attack underscores the recurring issue of human-wildlife conflict in the region, where leopards sometimes enter human habitats searching for food or territory. In light of this, forest officials have urged locals to exercise extreme caution, especially during early morning and evening hours when leopards are most active, while moving through fields and plantations.
