Just 10 kilometers away from the commissionerate... town Agwanpur. When I reached this area with a population of around 50 thousand on Tuesday, I saw a different scene. In ordinary localities, the national flag or religious flag was hoisted on many houses. At the same time, in many localities, a different scene was seen on some houses located towards the forest or fields. Here canisters were hanging from the roof, on which a long rope was hanging. Shocked, when I asked the people around, I came to know that this is not an ordinary canister but a kind of alarm.

If a leopard is seen nearby, it is rung like an 'alarm bell' with the help of a hanging rope. On hearing the loud sound, people of the nearby large population become alert and take their children, cattle and other animals to a safe place. People say that for the last few days, there is only one name on everyone's lips... leopard. The fear is so much that by evening people either stay in groups or remain confined in their homes. On the other hand, there is no trace of the forest department team till now, people are angry about this.

Leopard terror in three districts of the division

There is terror of leopard in three districts of Moradabad division, Moradabad, Rampur and Bijnor. Recently, many cases of leopard attack on animals were reported in Agwanpur, after which the Dainik Jagran team reached there on Tuesday. Mohammad Abbas, a resident of Mohalla Sarai Farooq with a population of 1200 to 1300, expressed his pain. He told that five days ago, a leopard came chasing a kitten from the sugarcane fields at dawn. He was sitting outside to guard the animals. Before he could understand anything, the leopard made a strong jump and caught the kitten from the first floor. It dragged it away. Abbas was scared by this incident.

Had to guard all night long

Abbas says that since that day, he has to stay awake all night to guard the animals. An empty barrel has been tied with a rope so that people nearby can get information in case of an emergency. In case of a leopard's arrival, people are alerted by ringing the barrel. People nearby have also been informed about this.

Kite flying was also stopped

Meanwhile, the youth who came here say that kite flying has stopped because of the leopard. They are afraid to go out even during the day. The team moved ahead and reached Mohalla Dhaap with a population of 3500. Ahmed Hasan alias Qadir, a resident of this place, says that six days ago his son had taken the animals for grazing. While returning in the evening, the leopard suddenly grabbed the neck of a goat. Somehow he escaped. The son also saved his life by running away. The goat is undergoing treatment.

It is said that there is a forest behind the locality from Bhojpur-Thakurdwara Road to Islamnagar. The leopard comes from the forest in search of prey, which is scaring everyone. On the question of informing the forest department team, they say that complaints were made several times but no one came.

Villages on the banks of Ramganga river are on target, 76 villages of Bijnor are sensitive

Bijnor is the most affected among the three districts. Forest department officials say that 86 villages of Bijnor are the most sensitive, out of which 14 villages on the Bijnor and Chandpur border have been specially marked. According to the forest department team, leopards move forward through sugarcane fields. Sugarcane is cultivated the most in the villages on the banks of the Ramganga river. Due to dense crops, leopards consider it a safe route and move forward and reach the populated areas.

Take these steps to protect yourself

Forest department officials say that for safety, keep the area around the houses clean. There should be no bushes. Make adequate arrangements for lighting. Tie the animals inside. Do not tie them in the open. Try as much as possible not to go to the fields after sunset. Even if you go if it is very necessary, go in a group. Keep a stick in your hand. In case of sighting a leopard, inform the forest department team after reaching a safe place. The forest department team will comb the area, if needed a cage will also be installed.

The Chief Minister gave instructions to coordinate with all departments

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a video conference with the officials of the state on Monday regarding the growing problem. On the inclusion of three districts of the division in the list of sensitive areas among the 11 districts of the state, the Chief Minister directed the departments to coordinate and resolve the problem. He said that people should stay comfortably in their homes. Regarding this, the police administration team should also work in coordination with the forest department in such a situation. The electricity department team was instructed to mark hot spots and make arrangements for lighting. The forest department team was also instructed to increase patrolling.

Due to fear of leopards, I am afraid to go out of the house alone even during the day. There is no point in going near the fields. I am not even able to fly kites. Jamin

A few days ago a leopard suddenly came, luckily there was no loss of life. Everyone is scared of the leopard, wondering when it will come? One has to be cautious even at home. Afroz

Leopard activity has been observed in villages along the Ramganga river. For rescue, teams are patrolling along with making people aware. If needed, cages are also being installed at relevant places. - Ramesh Chandra, Forest Conservator, Moradabad Division