Seven-year-old girl survives leopard attack

The girl was attacked in Aundhe village of Khed district on Saturday night,around 9 pm. The village is near Junnar forest. Raveena,who got 11 stitches on the neck and hand,is not in a position to speak.

“She went outside the house to answer nature’s call. My son heard her scream and rushed out. After he saw what had happened,he called us and we alerted other villagers,” her mother Vimal says.

By the time villagers came to the rescue,the leopard had dragged her almost 200 metres. Raveena’s parents blame the windmills being constructed on Singeshwar hill near the village. “The construction work has been disturbing wildlife in the surrounding areas causing leopards to enter human habitation,” says Kadam.

Forest officials say that was not the cause. Deputy Conservator of Forest,A D Bhonsle,says,“Leopard attacks have been happening in the area since 2001. These are mainly because of closeness of the village to Junnar forest. Since the area is prone to such attacks,we have instructed villagers not to wander out late at night or very early in the mornings. However,this girl went out late in the night.”

The attack did not have anything to do with construction of windmills,he says. Inspector S S More of Khed police station said,“We have information of a girl being attacked. We do not know the exact reason why the leopard entered the village. Investigations are on.”