Leopard drags 9-year-old boy into bushes near Chandrapur on way to Mata Mahakali temple; found after 2 hours
The boy, part of a group of devotees walking to the Mata Mahakali temple during Navratri, was found injured after his clapping guided searchers to him.
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A leopard attacked a group of devotees walking to the Mata Mahakali temple in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, during Navratri and dragged a 9-year-old boy into the bushes. The incident has caused a stir in the area.
The incident took place on the night of October 17 near the Visapur toll plaza, between Ballarpur and Chandrapur. A family from Shantinagar in Ballarpur was walking to the temple with 12 neighbours. The group included Kartik Sanjay Jadhav, 9, who had come from Hyderabad to visit his paternal aunt.
At around 11 pm, near the Visapur toll plaza, a leopard suddenly leapt over a wall about 12 feet high and attacked the group. It singled out Kartik, pounced on him and dragged him into nearby bushes. In an instant, the joyful pilgrimage turned to fear and cries. The family and other devotees rushed about looking for the boy.
On receiving information, a team of police and the Forest Department reached the spot. A search for Kartik began in the area beyond the wall and in the nearby forest. By then a large crowd of devotees had gathered on the road.
The search went on for about 2 hours without any trace of the boy, and the family's worry kept growing. Then the sound of continuous clapping was heard from the direction of the bushes. People who went towards the sound found Kartik lying injured in the bushes.
After the leopard attack, Kartik had regained consciousness and made his presence known by clapping. Though seriously injured, the boy did not lose heart, and it was his action that allowed those searching to find him.
The injured Kartik was rushed in a police vehicle to the Chandrapur District Hospital. His condition is serious and doctors are treating him. There is an atmosphere of worry among the family and local residents.
Thousands of devotees walk from Ballarpur to Chandrapur to visit the Mata Mahakali temple during Navratri, and stalls are set up for them at various points along the route. The leopard's attack on a child on such a busy route has raised serious questions about the movement of wild animals and the safety of devotees.
Against this background, it will be important for the Forest Department to watch for possible leopard movement in the area and to take the necessary measures for the safety of devotees. The incident during the Navratri crowds has created an atmosphere of fear in the Chandrapur area.
