LUCKNOW: Panic gripped a leopard-affected area of Bahraich district on Sunday morning after a 65-year-old woman was attacked by a leopard while sitting outside her house in Kodri village under Shivpur block.The woman sustained injuries to her neck and hands but was rescued after villagers rushed to the spot and forced the animal to flee.According to local residents, Surja Devi was sitting outside her home when a leopard suddenly emerged from nearby bushes and pounced on her. The animal inflicted deep wounds on her hands and neck before she raised the alarm.Hearing her screams, family members and villagers rushed to the scene. The leopard abandoned the attack and fled towards the forest after seeing the gathering crowd and hearing loud noises.Villagers said their prompt intervention prevented a possible fatality.The injured woman was immediately taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Shivpur, where doctors provided initial treatment and said she was out of danger.The incident has heightened fear among residents of the area, which has witnessed repeated leopard sightings and attacks in recent months. Villagers said leopard movement near human settlements has become frequent despite efforts by the forest department to capture the animal.Residents have demanded stronger action from the forest department, alleging that existing measures have failed to prevent the leopard from entering inhabited areas.The department has already installed four cages in the region to monitor and capture the animal, but villagers said the threat persists.Forest officials said leopard activity has been reported repeatedly from the area and teams have been monitoring the situation.Deputy Ranger Amit Kumar Verma said a forest department team was dispatched immediately after receiving information about the attack.“The team inspected the site and collected evidence. Preliminary findings suggest that the attack was carried out by a leopard. Villagers have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid venturing alone into fields and forested areas,” Verma said.The latest attack adds to a series of leopard-related incidents reported across Bahraich. On May 28, a couple identified as Ramawati (48) and Rameshwar were attacked while working in a field in Pandit Purwa under Motipur Range. On May 25, Fazlur Rahman (70), his son Zuber, and Naseem were injured in an attack in Mauji Purwa village under Chakiya Range. Earlier, on May 22, a 12-year-old girl, Ruchi, was attacked while cutting grass near the Saryu riverbank in Mangalpurwa village under Shivpur.Other attacks have also been reported from Katarniaghat and Sujauli ranges in recent weeks.Forest officials have advised residents not to lie down or pretend to be dead if attacked by a leopard.Instead, they should protect their face and neck, resist forcefully, raise an alarm, seek immediate medical treatment if injured, and promptly inform the forest department.The department continues to monitor the area amid growing concern among villagers over the recurring attacks.
