Leopard Kills 7-Year-Old Boy in Amreli

Amreli: A seven-year-old boy was mauled to death by a leopard while labourers were picking cotton in a field near Sanosara village in Amreli district on Saturday morning, triggering panic across the surrounding villages.

The incident occurred around 8:45 am in a field belonging to Jitu Somlabhai Manjariya, located on the outskirts of Sanosara village, between Sanosara and Mota Bhandariya. More than 20 labourers were working in the field when two children went to fetch water. The leopard suddenly attacked one of them, identified as Sahil Klasva, and dragged him into the field. The other child fled in fear.

Following the commotion, labourers and villagers rushed to the spot and searched for the boy for over 30 minutes before finding his body. The child had sustained severe injuries to his head, neck and abdomen and died on the spot.

Forest Department and police teams reached the site and initiated necessary procedures, including recording statements. The Forest Department has launched search and scanning operations to track the leopard and announced plans to install five to six cages in the area to capture the animal.

Rajan Jadhav, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Shetrunji Division, confirmed that the leopard attacked and killed the child while labourers, accompanied by their children, were harvesting cotton.

The Forest Department has appealed to residents and visitors, particularly those visiting agricultural fields during the Diwali festivities, to exercise caution and contact its helpline in case of wildlife sightings. Officials said forest personnel were on high alert and taking necessary measures to prevent further incidents.

DeshGujarat