Adult leopard in Durgasarovar near Kamakhya Gate in Guwahati city

GUWAHATI: People living in East Durgasarovar near Kamakhya Gate in the city are spending sleepless nights as an adult leopard has been spotted wandering around in close vicinity to their homes.

There are about 250 families; and, they are in a state of panic. They have demanded that the Forest department should initiate steps in right earnest to catch the tiger on the prowl without causing harm to the animal.

The villagers said that they were in a state of constant fear for the tiger as they could hear its roar quite often. They are not even daring to go out fearing attack. "We are in constant fear of being attacked. Scores of hens, ducks, goats and other livestock have fallen prey to the tiger. We are looking up to the Forest department to come to our rescue," said resident Abinash Rabha. A villager said that a Forest official has warned them not to venture out during night. Now, people are moving in groups during day time and are remaining extra cautious at nights.

Some people of the area met Environment & Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya at his office chamber on Thursday and requested him to come to their rescue by capturing the tiger and releasing it into the wild.

Suklabaidya asked the PCCF (Wildlife) to take steps in right earnest 'giving priority to the plea of the residents'.

Rabha and the local people are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Forest personnel to provide them the much-needed respite from the looming danger, stated a press release.

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