An attempt to capture a leopard in Haryana's Panipat turned out to be a tough task for the personnel of the police and forest departments. A video showing the big cat attacking the officials has surfaced online and many have criticised them for the handling of the leopard. Two officers were injured during the process to capture the leopard and tranquillise it. In the video, the leopard is seen jumping over and clawing at the officials as one of them runs towards the big cat while it attacks his colleague. The leopard claws the forest official and policemen are seen beating up the feline with sticks. The furious leopard is seen charging at other officials as well. Panipat superintendent of police Shashank Kumar Sawan shared the clip on Twitter and wrote, "Tough day at work for people from police and forest dept. A couple of them suffered injuries.Salute to their bravery and courage. In the end, everyone is safe. Including the leopard.." Tough day at work for people from police and forest dept.. A couple of them suffered injuries..Salute to their bravery and courage..In the end, everyone is safe..Including the leopard.. pic.twitter.com/wbP9UqBOsF— Shashank Kumar Sawan (@shashanksawan) May 8, 2022 Within a day, the clip has managed to garner more than 4,91,200 views. Some users lauded the officers while some users criticised them for not taking precautions. "1 Without precaution you went there 1st wrong.2 Unable to see any forest department officers.3 it exposes the inefficiency in dealing with such contengeuos situations.4 Trained officers are handling matters similar to Commons.5 Lacking proper equipment and safety measures," commented a user. 1 Without precuation you went there 1st wrong.2 Unable to see any forest department officers.3 it exposes the inefficiancy in dealing with such contengeuos situations.4 Trained officers are handling matters similar to Commons.5 Lacking proper equipments and safety measures.— Mishab Bin Hamza E (@MishabHamza) May 8, 2022 Isn't safety gear provided to our forest staff for such situations?@ParveenKaswan— Swati (@swatiplahiri) May 8, 2022 Ya sir definitely both departments works hard specially police. But in this case forest department done a foolish work, they are going to catch a 🐆 not a 🐕 without any wire mesh nd other safety equipments they approached. thank God no measure enjury to civilian and staff.— Vikas rawal (@vikas989r) May 8, 2022 pic.twitter.com/1av1qjSo5R— Nittu DHANKHAR (@DhankharNittu) May 8, 2022 Gud job by them sir but this is not the way to approach a wild animal let alone a leopard the most fierce big cat. They r excellent fighters and won't give up easily. Atleast forest officials should have brought net with them.— Raj (@rajscd) May 8, 2022 Appreciate & salute courage showed by Police force & Forest officials . Hope all are fine & the leopard is safe too. May be because of extreme heat they are coming towards city , Or city expanding In there territory .— Gauravvchauhan (@gauravvchauhan) May 8, 2022 Me to the police: pic.twitter.com/K6A61fAcbz— Pankaj Sabnani (@pankajsabnani) May 8, 2022 Kunal Kapoor, the president of animal welfare NGO Nayi Pehal Welfare Society, told indianexpress.com that the leopard had come more than 1.5 kilometres into the village. Kapoor agreed that the attempt made by officers was wrong but added it was the only option they had. "As the villagers were panicking, the officers took action to capture and tranquillise the leopard. The animal was moved into the forest later," he said.
