Shimla/Chopal: Panic has gripped villages in the Khagna Tikri area of the Chopal forest range after a leopard mauled a 67-year-old man, leaving him critically injured and sparking fears among residents that the animal could turn into a man-eater.
The victim has been identified as Mohan Singh Chauhan (67), a resident of Jarait in Chopal. Chauhan had visited his in-laws at Lower Tikri and was on his way back home when the shocking incident unfolded.
Recalling the terrifying ordeal, Mohan Singh said the attack took place inside the lower storey of the house early in the morning when he went to check on the house dog that was not responding.
“I went to the lower storey where the store room is because the dog was not responding in the morning. As I entered and touched the dog, a leopard that was trapped inside the store suddenly pounced on me. It grabbed part of my arm and mauled my head. I started bleeding profusely,” he said while narrating the harrowing experience.
Despite the brutal attack, Chauhan said he did not lose his presence of mind.
“I somehow kept control of myself and managed to open the door. The wild beast immediately jumped out and ran into the open field. It was a very big animal,” he recalled.
He said the leopard had already killed the house dog earlier and had remained trapped silently inside the store room before launching the attack.
Severely injured and bleeding heavily, Chauhan was initially rushed to a civil hospital Chopal and later referred to IGMC Shimla, where doctors managed to stabilise him.
Suresh Chauhan, former ASP and cousin of the victim who accompanied him to the hospital, said the family went through a traumatic ordeal.
“He had lost a lot of blood and was in severe trauma when we brought him to IGMC. Thankfully his life has been saved and he is now reported to be stable,” he said.
Suresh Chauhan added that the family has sought immediate compensation from the wildlife department, given the seriousness of the injuries and the trauma caused by the attack.
Meanwhile, fear continues to grip Khagna, Tikri and adjoining villages.
Nikka Ram Dhareula, a resident of Khagna, said villagers are deeply worried about their safety.
“The leopard is attacking humans, even elders, which indicates it could turn into a man-eater. Students and villagers have to trek through forest areas to reach their homes. People also go to collect fuel wood, grass and take cattle for grazing. Everyone is living in fear,” he said.
Villagers have urged the wildlife department to immediately trap the dangerous animal, warning that nobody knows who could be the next victim if the leopard continues to roam close to human settlements.
The incident once again highlights the growing human-wildlife conflict in the forested belts of Chopal, where leopard sightings and attacks have become increasingly frequent.
