Bengaluru, May 9: A three-year-old boy was killed by a leopard in the early hours of Saturday in Magadi taluk near Bengaluru.
According to police, the boy identified as C Hemanth, was sleeping with his parents - Chandrasekhar and Mangalagowramma - outside his grandfather Chikkanna's residence at Kadaraiana Palya.
The couple, residents of Dodderi, near Big Banyan Tree (Dodda Alada Mara), had been staying at Chikkanna's [Mangalagowramma's father] residence since past a few days following the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic in Bengaluru.
Some of the family members, with the child, had slept outside the residence on Friday as the temperature was high. The feline might have taken the child between 1.30 a.m. and 4 a.m., and killed it on the outskirts of the village, said the sources.
After a frantic search, family members and villagers found the mutilated body of the child in the early hours. The leopard had left the partially devoured body on the outskirts of the village, added the sources.
According to the villagers, many felines have been prowling in the area, probably arriving from forests around Magadi and attached areas, for the last several weeks.
The Forest Department officials said that they have launched an exercise to trap the animal by placing cages with live baits.
According to preliminary investigations, the child was killed by a leopard. Pugmarks were found near the body. A detailed investigation and post-mortem report will find the exact cause for the death.
The incident has sent shockwaves in the vicinity of the village. According to the sources, people are planning to launch a protest to condemn the killing of the boy.
Minister for Forest and Environment B.S. Anand Singh has announced a compensation of ₹7.5 lakh to the family of the victim.
Accompanied by Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha member D.K. Suresh, Magadi legislator Manjunath and senior officials, Mr. Singh visited the place on Saturday morning.
Addressing media persons, he said that the department has decided to start combing operations for the leopard.
Mr. Suresh said the leopard might have come from Thippagondanahalli reservoir's catchment area on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The leopard has already tasted the blood of the child and hence the department should initiate immediate action [as the chances of the feline becoming a man-eater is high, Mr. Suresh added.
Comments
Rahim uchil will angry coz Zakir hussain eating meat and fish. How the seer of matt allowes him to enter the temple.
@ Mr. Truth, Persons link your spoiling real meaning of Hinduism. You are so filthy by your mind
Why mutt entertaining these kind of programs. There are hindu people who can conduct concerts
I am a great fan of you sir. Eagerly waiting for the moment. Hope nobody make unwanted issues there
True. Abu said right thing. Police and organisers should ensure his safety before bringing him
Art has no religion. It needed pure heart to enjoy. Waiting for the concert
Is there anybody to protest against this. I'll join with you. I will provide you some equipments to distract. Inform me ASP
Ahamd Khan, a Muslim folk singer was Murdered by temple Pirest RAMESH SUTHAR in Dantal Village of Rajasthan. The priest Ramesh accused Ahmed Khan of not singing well in the temple, and (Ramesh) failed to possess his god and harness supernatural power.
Hope Ustad Zakir Hussain will not meat the fate of Ahmed Khan, if Pejawar Seer or his devotees fail to impress their diety in Udupi for the fault of Zakir's finger on Tabala.
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