Leopard creates havoc

OUR BUREAU

MIRZA/AZARA, Feb 22: Three persons, including a woman, were injured when a leopard created a reign of terror at Tarapati Locha village under Palasbari Legislative Assembly Constituency in Kamrup district on Wednesday morning.

Those injured were Balen Das (45), Dharani Das (40) and Pranita Das (28). Since Balen Das and Dharani Das sustained serious injuries they were rushed to Gauhati Medical College & Hospital for advanced treatment.

Villagers alleged that the Forest Department personnel reached the spot to tranquilize the leopard after the animal created terror at the village for nearly six hours in early Wednesday morning. The leopard was first spotted by Balen Das when it was roaming in the paddy field of Dharani Das, just behind his home. It first attacked Balen Das, followed by Dharani and Pranita Das. When villagers came outside their houses with sharp weapons to come down upon the leopard it sneaked into the house of Dharani Das. The angry public immediately closed the door of Das’ house and informed the forest personnel.

Villagers said since the forest personnel reached the spot late the tiger damaged several household articles of Das. After tranquilization the leopard was sent to Assam State Zoo in Guwahati.