In a heart-wrenching incident, a leopard attack in Alephata’s Ale village has resulted in the tragic loss of a four-year-old boy, Shivansh Bhujbal. The devastating incident has reignited concerns over the growing frequency of leopard attacks in the region, prompting local residents to demand immediate action.
A Fatal Encounter:
On a fateful Monday evening, around 5 o’clock, young Shivansh, the son of Amol Bhujbal, was engrossed in play in the yard of their pheasant farm, accompanied by his grandfather, Nivritti Bhujbal. Suddenly, a leopard emerged from a nearby sugarcane field and launched a terrifying attack on the child. The predator seized Shivansh by the neck and forcefully dragged him into the field. Avinash Gadge, a brave local youth, displayed remarkable courage by pursuing the leopard in an attempt to rescue the child.
Despite the valiant efforts, Shivansh suffered severe injuries during the attack. He was swiftly transported to a private hospital in Alephata for urgent medical attention. Tragically, the young boy succumbed to his injuries, casting a pall of grief over the entire community. Forest Range Officer V. M. Kakade, Police Inspector Yashwant Nalavde, and Assistant Police Inspector Sunil Badgujar visited the scene, conducting a comprehensive Panchnama.
Rising Concerns and Frequent Attacks:
The incident has triggered heightened apprehension among the residents of Alephata, who are grappling with the escalating frequency of leopard encounters. Mere days ago, a leopard targeted a motorbike rider in Agarmala, narrowly sparing the victim. Domestic animals have also fallen prey to these relentless attacks, leaving citizens apprehensive about venturing outside their homes.
Former Zilla Parishad member Prasanna Doke has issued a stern warning, declaring that villagers will stage protests and road blockades if the forest department does not take swift action. The urgent demand is for an increase in the number of cages deployed to capture the leopards responsible for terrorizing the area.
