Child mauled to death by leopard

Dehradun, Feb 4: A seven-year-old boy was mauled to death by a leopard in Kaljikhal area of Pauri district, a senior forest official on Thursday, Feb 4 said.

The incident occurred in Sarkyana Valla village of the district last evening, Garhwal's Divisional Forest Officer Ramesh Chandra said. Giving details, he said 7-year-old Sumit went out with his mother last evening. After a while his mother asked him to go back home.

However, when she returned home she was shocked not to find her child there. She began searching for him along with the villagers but when they did not find Sumit even after hours of search the forest department was informed.

Finally, Sumit's half eaten body was found this morning about 150-200 metres away from his home, Chandra said.

The family of the deceased child has been paid an ex-gratia of Rs 90,000 whereas a compensation of Rs 2.10 lakh will be paid to them after his post mortem report arrives, the forest officer said.

Efforts have been launched to catch the big cat, Chandra said adding that he has written to the Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) asking him to declare the leopard a man eater.

PTI