Postmortem report awaited, wildlife authorities to register case against villagers
SRINAGAR: Residents of Zadoora village in Pulwama district Friday morning killed a leopard by suffocating it after the beasts presence sparked fear in the area.
Sources said that the leopard had created panic in the village after it appeared in the locality last evening. Soon hundreds of villagers assembled and chased the beast away with sticks.
The leopard later took shelter inside a cave in the nearby field and in the meanwhile the locals closed the entrance of the cave by placing sand bags and stones from outside.
Amid fear, the residents passed the sleepless night and early morning on Friday, they reached the spot again and lit fire close to the cave, locals said.
The leopard was later found dead probably due to suffocation, sources said.
Meanwhile, the local residents said that despite repeated requests the concerned wild life officials and administration did not reach the site.
However, the police reached the spot but they didnt do anything, alleged the locals, adding that after death, the locals were seen beating the animal with police men watching the entire episode like mute spectators.
The residents said that wild animals were posing threat to them and their livestock. The locals in the area finally sighed of relief following killing of the leopard.
Children were scared to venture out of homes as the alleged man-eater was on the prowl in several villages of the district.
However, the villagers alleged that there are several more wild animals including leopards and bears, which have created havoc. Demanding action, the villagers said these bears and leopards often infiltrate into villages near forest and attack people, particularly children and women.
Residents of many other adjoining villages said that they were reeling under intense fear of wild animals. They said that the leopards and bears had killed dozens of livestock and were posing threat to humans.
Meanwhile, administration assured the investigation into the entire incident, even as it admitted the wild life officials were informed about it.
Entire matter will be investigated. I personally informed the wild life authorities whether or not they turned up in time will be investigated, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Neraj Kumar said.
When Contacted Superintendent of Police, Pulwama, Teginder Singh said that when police reached the spot the animal was already dead, rejecting allegations that police acted as mute spectator.
However, this issue pertains to wild life but as far as police is concerned our men reached the spot soon after informed about the incident. The animal had already died when our team reached there, he said.
A Wild Life Official and In charge Control Room, Bilal Ahmad Reshi said that they came to know about the incident today 10:00 a.m and we accordingly rushed to the spot. However after reaching Newa village, the locals have staged protest demonstration over some issue and later we had diverted and take another route to reach the site.
After reaching the spot around 11:20 a.m, the leopard was dead and we have taken it to our control room for postmortem, Reshi said.
He said that after postmortem report it will be known whether the animal died due to beating or suffocation.
In both the cases, he said, those involved in the crime will be strictly punished according to law.
The man-wild animal conflict has witnessed an increase in the Kashmir valley during the past few years. The numbers of such conflicts are on increase with every passing day, sources said. More than 30 wild animals were killed in retaliation by villagers and wildlife officials in the Kashmir valley during the past three years. About 100 people have also lost their lives and several hundred were injured in these conflicts during the period in the state. (GNS)
Leopard kills 4 domestic animals
LOLAB: At least four domestic animals were mauled to death by a leopard at Lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district last night.
Reports said that panic gripped Wani Doorosa village in Lolab today morning following killing of several domestic animals by a leopard that has entered inside the cow shed of Ghulam Mohiudin.
The four animals killed by the leopard include cow, ox and two calves, reports said.
The local residents of the area said some leopards have been roaming in the adjoining areas of the town for last few weeks threatening their livestock and lives.
The local residents said that continuous attacks by bears and leopards on their livestock are giving them sleepless nights. They accused the wildlife officials of not doing their duties properly.
Locals of the area have demanded that the wildlife officials should dispatch a team of experts to the area.
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