Leopard horror in Budgam villages
Huzaif Riaz
SRINAGAR, (PTK): Terror has gripped among the residents of Ompora and adjoining areas in central Kashmir’s Budgam district as some leopards have strayed into the residential area and have been spotted roaming on roads.
According to locals, some two-three leopards were spotted in Housing Colony, Ompora when they were roaming freely through the streets and the presence of leopards in the area is forcing people to stay indoors.
Imtiyaz Dar, a local resident of Ompora said that presence of leopards in the area has created fear among the residents and locals are not avoiding movement in evening hours.
“There are three leopards present in Ompora and nearby areas who have been spotted multiple times by locals and they have come in some CCTV footages where can be seen roaming freely. Presence of leopards has terrorized us, we are now avoiding movement and are not preferring to stay indoors,” he said.
Another resident of Ompora Danish Ahmad while talking to PTK alleged that the Wildlife Department has failed to catch these ‘deadly animals’.
“From last few weeks, we are not even able to sleep due to fear created by leopards. What is Wildlife department for, they have failed to catch the leopards. After the Asr prayers, we choose to stay at home fearing leopard attack. The presence of leopards is not allowing us to go for prayers in morning and evening. Parents are not allowing their children to go for tuitions, due to this leopard terror.” he added.
No better is the situation in villages located around Ompora. The residents of Garend Kallan have been terrorized by the leopards. As per locals, leopards have killed cattle especially sheep in the village.
Talking to PTK, a local said, “At least eleven sheep were killed in a leopard attack. It’s seems similar to last year when three leopards strayed in our village and killed many sheep. Till now, eleven sheep have been killed, belonging to two different persons. The Wildlife department has been trying to catch leopard but have failed.”
“Many dogs, cats and other animals have been killed by leopards. We are living under fear, Wildlife department should leave the decades old techniques and should develop their strategy to catch the deadly animals. Though they ( Wildlife department personnel ) have been carrying intense searches, they have failed to catch the leopards as they are using decades old technique.” said Hazifa a resident of Housing Colony, Ompora.
Reports said leopards were also spotted at Sanat Nagar, Humhama and Airport Nursery Colony of Srinagar.
Upon being contacted, the officials of Forest And Wildlife Conservation Department said that they have been carrying out searches to catch these animals. “There was a female leopard and an adult cub spotted in Ompora, we have been carrying searches and they will be soon caught.” they said.
