Nuapada: Panic gripped at Katingapani in Sunabeda Sanctuary in Nuapada district on Monday evening after an eight-year-old boy was reportedly eaten by a leopard.
The unfortunate incident took place when the boy named Dambarudhara Dharua was playing in the village yard, while the animal took away him. Villagers chased the animal which snaked into the forest. After an intense search, they found the mutilated body of the minor boy in the forest.
On being informed, a team of forest personnel reached the village and started an investigation. Efforts are on the trace the animal, the forest officials said.
The department seized the body and sent it to Nuapada district headquarters hospital for post-mortem. The body will be handed over to his family after the autopsy, officials said.
The incident triggered panic in the sanctuary area. Forest personnel intensified patrol in the forest area.
The villagers were furious on the forest department for failing to protect people residing in the sanctuary area. They demanded adequate compensation for the family of the deceased.
Meanwhile, forest department restricted the entry of humans and domestic animal into the forest area.
