Purnia/Patna: A leopard that had spread panic across parts of Purnia for the past three days was killed by villagers on Wednesday after repeated attacks on livestock and local residents.
The incident took place in the Chakla Bahiyar area of Dhusar Panchayat under the jurisdiction of the Tikapatti Police Station.
According to villagers, the leopard had created an atmosphere of fear across the region, forcing residents to remain indoors and avoid agricultural fields.
Leopard Attacked Livestock and Villagers
Residents alleged that the leopard, which had strayed into village settlements and nearby farmlands, killed two calves and a goat during the past few days.
Several villagers were also reportedly attacked while attempting to move through the area.
Officials said three people sustained injuries in separate encounters with the animal, though all survived.
Villagers Surrounded Animal in Fields
On Wednesday morning, villagers once again spotted the leopard moving through agricultural fields, prompting large crowds to gather in the area.
According to eyewitness accounts, residents formed a cordon around the animal and, after a prolonged struggle, succeeded in killing it.
The incident triggered chaos and panic throughout the locality as hundreds of villagers assembled near the fields.
Fear Had Spread Across Entire Area
Local residents said rumours and reports of wild animal sightings had been circulating for several days, but repeated attacks by the leopard had intensified fear among villagers.
Shanti Devi, Mukhiya of Tikapatti Gram Panchayat, said the matter had already been reported to both police and forest officials.
She said: “For the past few days, there had been discussions regarding sightings of wild animals in the area, but after the leopard attack, fear spread among villagers.”
She added that local authorities arrived after receiving information about the incident and took custody of the leopard’s carcass.
Forest Department Begins Investigation
Following the incident, officials from the local administration and the Bihar Forest Department reached the site and began an investigation into the matter.
The injured villagers were treated at a nearby referral hospital.
Authorities have not yet clarified how the leopard entered the area or from where it may have strayed into the village region.
