Patna: A leopard sighting in Katihar’s Dandkhora area triggered panic on Sunday after a farmer spotted the big cat in an agricultural field, prompting the forest department and police to launch an intensive alert-and-search operation across nearby villages.According to locals, a farmer watering his maize field in Bagdo and Bundeli villages saw the leopard roaming nearby. The information spread quickly, causing fear among residents of adjoining areas. Police personnel from Dandkhora station are using loudspeakers to caution villagers, advising them to avoid fields and isolated areas at dusk, keep children indoors, and report any suspicious movement.Villagers said there had earlier been unconfirmed reports of a leopard sighting in the Kadwa police station area, heightening concerns that the same predator may now have moved towards Dandkhora.Katihar SP Shikhar Chaudhary said, “Continuous miking is being carried out to keep people alert. Along with this, the forest department team, in coordination with local public representatives, is devising a strategy to capture the leopard. Forest officials are monitoring the area and keeping a close watch on possible hideouts.”An atmosphere of fear and alertness prevails in the villages. Farmers are scanning their surroundings before heading to their fields, while women and children are choosing to stay indoors. The administration has urged residents not to panic but stressed that exercising caution is essential.
