By: SR SIDDIQUI
Bahraich, July 30
A 50-year-old farmer narrowly escaped serious injury after a leopard attacked him while he was watching over his fields early Thursday morning in Parwani Gaudhi village, under the Motipur Forest Range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Bahraich district.
Pujari, son of Jangli and a resident of the village, had gone to check his agricultural land around 6 a.m. As he approached the field, a leopard hidden in the bushes suddenly leapt at him.
Though taken by surprise, Pujari kept his nerve. He struggled against the animal and kept shouting for help until nearby villagers heard his cries and rushed to the scene. They managed to drive the leopard away into the adjoining forest and rescue the injured farmer.
Pujari suffered injuries to one hand in the attack. He was immediately taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Motipur, where he received first-aid treatment.
Acting Range Forest Officer (RFO) K.K. Singh, along with forest department staff, later visited the hospital to inquire about the incident.
In the wake of the attack, the forest department has stepped up patrols and surveillance in and around Parwani Gaudhi village. Officials have urged farmers and residents living close to the forest to stay alert, avoid going alone into their fields during the early morning and evening hours, and promptly report any leopard sightings to the authorities.