Leopard Terror In Udaipur Village: Five Attacked In 18 Hours, One Killed

Panic ensued in Umarda Kheda, a village close to Udaipur, after a leopard attacked five individuals within a span of 18 hours, killing one and leaving four injured. The latest strike occurred on Wednesday when a group of five villagers were walking together along a narrow village trail. Eyewitness Mohanlal Meena recounted, "The leopard suddenly appeared from the bushes and attacked Kalu, who was leading the group. The animal dragged him away but released him after the villagers pelted it with stones."

The leopard inflicted further attacks on another man on the shoulder, and on a woman who raised an alarm and shouted for help, forcing the leopard to flee. Earlier, on Tuesday evening, the leopard attacked 45-year-old Logar Lal Meena, who later succumbed to his injuries at Maharana Bhupal Hospital around 7 pm on Wednesday. His cousin, Gulabi, witnessed the animal dragging Logar away before raising an alarm and running towards him, causing the leopard to escape.

Additional victims injured during the attacks on Wednesday morning were Jagga, 60; Hitesh, 20; and Kalu, 40. Following the repeated leopard attacks, the administration evacuated around 15 families, which included around 50 people, from the affected area as a precautionary measure. Children were also escorted to a safer location.

Forest Department officials launched an operation to capture the leopard, placing four cages in different directions to trap the animal. Camera traps were also installed to continuously monitor its movements. DFO D.K. Tiwari reported that forest staff from Bhinder, Kurabad, Udaipur, and adjoining ranges have been deployed in the area, with teams from the Wildlife Wing providing assistance.

Shooters and other personnel maintain constant surveillance. The Forest Department has advised villagers to avoid moving alone and to travel in groups while carrying sticks for protection.