Dibrugarh: A leopard was killed by a mob in the Tipling Gutibari locality of Duliajan in Dibrugarh district on Wednesday after the big cat attacked and injured a local resident during Holi festivities.The attack took place on Wednesday afternoon when the leopard pounced on Rubul Dutta, a local, as the neighbourhood was in the midst of Holi celebrations. Dutta sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Oil India Hospital in Duliajan, where he is currently undergoing treatment.Following the attack, a section of enraged residents, armed with sticks and machetes, turned on the animal and killed it inside a bamboo grove. Locals said the drastic step was taken out of desperation, alleging that the authorities had long ignored their repeated pleas for intervention.“We have been complaining for months. The forest department never took us seriously. We had no choice,” said a resident of Tipling Gutibari.Forest officials arrived at the scene after the incident, retrieved the carcass of the leopard, and sent it for a post-mortem examination. Authorities have said they will conduct further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding both the attack and the subsequent killing of the animal. They indicated that action may be taken against those involved in killing the leopard, which is a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.For several months, localities including Madhuting, Borkola and Tipling in Duliajan have reported frequent leopard movement, especially after dusk. Residents say the big cats have been regularly preying on domestic animals including cattle, goats, and dogs, creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear. Many families have reportedly taken to shutting their doors and windows early each evening and refraining from venturing outside after dark.
