Leopard scare grips areas at Kukatpally

Hyderabad: Leopard scare gripped densely populated Pragathinagar and Gajularamaram area at Kukatpally here. Local people reportedly heard the roar of the leopard and some more said they had sighted it.

According to a resident, Ravi Teja, he had spotted the leopard and immediately informed the Forest officials. He reported to the officials that it was seen near a hill area where it stayed for 5-10 minutes and it started roaring. The people reported that they had the leopard roar after 7 pm also.

The areas where the leopard was sighted is in close proximity to Suraram-Narsapur forest area. It is suspected that it could have strayed into the colonies from the forest area.

A watchman at Mithilanagar also reported to have spotted the leopard behind an apartment. At first, he had thought that it was cat. He, however, had realised that it was a leopard after hearing it roar.

The people in the areas have been keeping a vigil. A group of residents armed with sticks are seen going round the colonies. Around 200 residents who have formed themselves into teams are on guard. The migrant labourers, who are staying in temporary shelters, have been alerted to be cautious.

The Forest officials, who visited the colonies on receiving complaint, found no evidence of movement of leopard. The officials said they would maintain vigilance to allay fears of people.

Earlier also the shepherds also complained of a leopard moving in some areas in Ranga Reddy district and killing sheep and cows. The Forest officials had recently trapped a leopard after painstaking efforts on ICRISAT premises.