Minor killed in leopard attack in Madhya Pradesh

A 12-year-old girl was killed by a leopard at Sodliya village in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday night. The girl was identified as Seeta.

A 12-year-old girl was killed by a leopard at Sodliya village in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday night. The girl was identified as Seeta.

According to Tirla police's report, the victim lived with her family in a makeshift hut in the field and was playing outside when the animal attacked her.

As soon as the leopard pounced on her, she raised an alarm. Hearing the noise, her family members and neighbours rushed in the direction where the animal had taken her. Villagers tried to chase the leopard away but the girl had already died. Family members of the deceased informed the forest department officials about the attack. Dhar divisional forest officer Gourav Choudhary said a search has been launched to catch the animal.

“Three search teams have already been pressed into duty. Cages have also been placed in the area to nab the leopard," Choudhary said.

“The department has already handed over a financial aid of Rs 1.5 lakh to the girl's father," the officer added.

The villagers claimed that least 10 people, mostly tribal kids, have either been injured or killed by leopards in the area in the last few months.