Leopard menace in Bandipur

By Amar Raj Naharki, Tanahun, July 20: Locals of the Bandipur Rural municipality, Tanahun have been terrified after a leopard wreaked havoc after entering the village.

According to the ward chair of the Bandipur Rural municipality, Surendra Bahadur Thapa, locals have been terrified as the number of people dying and getting injured from leopard menace is persistent.

An 11-year-old grade six student Sundar Achhami of the Bhanu Secondary School located at the Bandipur Bazaar died when a leoperd attacked him in his home front yard at 7 PM Friday. Achhami died in the course of treatment at Bandipur Hospital on Friday evening.

Ward chair said that three people have lost their lives from leopard attacks in the last three years.

Local Ram Kumar Nepali of Salthan, Bandipur Rural municipality-4, said that the leopard enters the settlement in the afternoon as well. There has come a situation where locals are locking their doors even in the afternoon to be safe from leopards.

Uncle of the deceased child Raj Kumar Achhami said that the chances of attack are still there as the leopard enters human settlements more often.

Spokesperson of the Division Forest Office, Tanahun, Raj Kumar Shrestha suggested to not leave children alone, to lighten the house and shed during the evening, to avoid walking alone, and to cut down bushes around.