KL Report
Srinagar
A minor girl was mauled to death by a wild leopard at Kreeri area of Baramulla while as another person was critically injured in a bear attack at Khag area of Budgam on Monday.
Official sources told Global News Service that a minor girl identified as Khushboo Jan, resident of Tangwari, Kalantara , Kreeri in Baramulla district was attacked by a wild leopard late Monday afternoon. She was rushed to Sub district Hospital Kreeri where from she was later shifted to SKIMS Soura for specialized treatment.
However, late in the evening Khushboo Jan succumbed to her injuries at SKIMS Soura.
According to locals, the leopard pounced on the minor when she was few yards away from her home. “The victims’ cries grabbed the attention of a passerby who after reaching the spot found her in a pool of blood,” the local said, adding the grievously wounded was shifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Later the villagers staged protest against wildlife authorities for failing to prevent entry of wild animals in residential areas.
The locals complained that wild animals had created a reign of terror in the area with attacks on humans becoming order of the day. “The wild animals are also on prowl at Kreeri, Daulatpora, Kalantara and its adjoining areas wherein the people fear to venture out of their homes during the dusk,” Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, a local resident of Kalantara told GNS, adding that the beasts have turned their lives miserable.
Eyewitness told GNS that Ghulam Rasool Sheikh Son of Abdul Razzaq of Sutharan Khag was attacked by a wild bear soon outside of his house.
Ghulam Rasool’s cries grab attention among the local residents who within no time reached the spot and finally freed him under the knees of wild bear, witness said.
The injured person was immediately rushed to Public Health Center (PHC) Khag where he was later shifted to JVC Bemina for treatment. However, his condition is stated to be critical.
Soon after the attack, DFO Budgam constituted a special team with proper trapping system in the village Sutharan, Khag.
Pertinently, man-animal conflict is on rise in most parts of Kashmir Valley. People are feeling insecure and are living under constant threat. Locals said that conversion of paddy lands near forests into orchard is the main reason for wild animals venturing into populated areas.
“Lack of any action plan to meet the growing challenge of wild animals in the area has led to such a situation that wild animals are attacking humans in a broad day light,” said Muzaffar Ahmad, a local resident of Kreeri Baramulla.
