Monday, July 05, 2010

Villagers kill leopard after it attacks 9 in Banaskantha

05-07-2010
Villagers kill leopard after it attacks 9 in Banaskantha
Times of India
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIA&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&GZ=T&AW=1278310579046

A leopard was killed by angry villagers of Tirth village in Vav Taluka in Banaskantha district on Sunday after it injured at least nine villagers, including a forest beat guard, police said. The shocking incident took place in presence of more than 30 police jawans and a dozen forest officials.

According to forest department officials, the incident of leopard attacks took place in the wee hours of the day when some villagers were on their way to attend to nature's call. Chaman Thakore spotted the wild cat, but before he could react the animals had pounced on him. Hearing his cries, other villagers, who were nearby, came forward and were also attacked the by the leopard.

Some of the villagers intimated the area beat guard R K Purohit. Purohit too was attacked when he tried to tackle the animal. "Purohit was severely injured as he got into a physical fight with the big cat. He suffered fractures to his limbs and was admitted to a private hospital," said range forest officer B M Chaudhari. The other injured included Jidalji Thakore, Arjan Thakore, Darga Hira and three others.

However, as a major operation was underway at the village to cage the wild cat, the villagers got to the animal first. While RFO Chaudhari spoke about the leopard attacks in the morning, he was unavailable for comment when the news of the leopard killing came in. "As many as 30 police jawans and a dozen forest officials and revenue officials were present in the village to cage the animal. But, the angry villagers chased the animal with sticks and stones and killed it by late evening," said police subinspector AM Bariya.

Photographer Karan Dagla snapped the leopard running away after attacking a villager on Sunday

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