Leopard Drags Sleeping Man From Verandah, Kills Him in UP's Bahraich
A leopard dragged a sleeping man from his verandah and killed him in UP's Bahraich. Body found 200m away; forest dept aiding family.
A 28-year-old man was killed by a leopard in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district in the early hours of Tuesday, forest officials said. The victim, identified as Ram Singh, was sleeping on a cot in the verandah of his house in Mehboob Nagar village when the big cat dragged him away.
The incident took place around 3 am under the Kakraha range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division. The leopard carried the man towards bushes behind the house. When family members found him missing in the morning, a search led them to his mutilated body about 200 metres from the residence.
Forest and police teams reached the spot and sent the body for post-mortem. Officials found leopard pugmarks near the site, confirming the attack.
Divisional Forest Officer Apoorv Dixit said an immediate assistance of Rs 10,000 has been given to the family, and formalities are underway to provide the government-mandated compensation of Rs 5 lakh.
In the past six weeks, nine leopards have been captured and released into suitable natural habitats in the Katarniaghat area. A cage is being installed in the affected area, with permission sought from senior officials.
Forest officials have urged villagers to remain cautious at night and not allow children or the elderly to venture out alone.