Leopard sightings trigger panic in Hamirpur

Frequent sights of leopard at Balh gram panchayat, located in the outskirts of the Hamirpur district, have spread a fear of the big cat among the residents. Locals said that the prowler roared during the evening and morning hours and has forced the people to remain indoors.

Frequent sights of leopard at Balh gram panchayat, located in the outskirts of the Hamirpur district, have spread a fear of the big cat among the residents. Locals said that the prowler roared during the evening and morning hours and has forced the people to remain indoors.

They said that after the leopard had been spotted in the area, it had become difficult for the parents to send their children alone to schools and they had to accompany them for providing them safety.

Sunil Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Ratni Devi of the Balh area said that the leopard was seen several times in Balh, Karara, Katyara, Ropa, Mohin and Maniana areas of the local gram panchayat. They have demanded installation of a cage in the affected areas so that the big cat caused no harm to them.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of the forest department said that all sorts of security would be provided to the people to keep them safe. He, however, appealed to the people to move in groups and if possible keep their television sets and radios turned on so that the leopard stayed away from the inhabited areas.