A tragic incident unfolded in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh on Diwali evening, highlighting the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the region. In Jamunabad village, located within the South Kheri Forest Division, a 10-year-old boy named Rohit was snatched away by a leopard while he was lighting firecrackers in the courtyard of his home. The brutal attack resulted in the child's death. Rohit was the only son of his parents, leaving the grieving family completely shattered and the local community gripped by fear and anger.
Sudden Attack During Festivities
The tragedy occurred while Rohit was celebrating Diwali with his friend Kartik in the residential courtyard. According to Kartik, an eyewitness to the horrific scene, the two boys were busily setting off crackers when a leopard emerged unexpectedly from behind and pounced on Rohit. The animal grabbed the child and began dragging him away. Although Rohit screamed for help, the attack happened so rapidly that before family members or neighbours could react or rush to his aid, the predator vanished into the darkness with the young boy.
Body Recovered Near Sugarcane Field
Following the abduction on Sunday evening, terrified villagers initiated a desperate search operation that continued through the night. On Monday morning, Rohit's body was discovered lying in bushes adjacent to a sugarcane field, approximately 150 meters from his residence. The recovery of the child's body devastated his parents, turning what should have been a festive holiday into a time of mourning for the entire village of Jamunabad.
History of Sightings and Livestock Loss
Local resident Dwarika Prasad raised serious allegations against the forest department regarding negligence. He stated that the village first experienced a similar leopard encounter back in 2022, making this the second major incident in the area. Over the preceding week, the big cat had been repeatedly spotted prowling near the village perimeters and had already killed four domestic goats. Dwarika Prasad emphasized that residents had alerted forest officials on multiple occasions about the animal's presence, yet no trap cage was deployed in time to prevent a human fatality.
Outrage Over Removed Trap Cage
Another villager, Aadesh Raj, described how fear has reshaped daily life in Jamunabad, with residents locking themselves inside their homes as soon as evening falls. People hesitate to venture outdoors after dark even for urgent chores. Aadesh Raj noted that forest department personnel had previously set up a cage in the area; however, after the leopard failed to enter it, the team packed up and retrieved the equipment. Villagers firmly believe that had the forest authorities kept the cage in place and sustained their capture efforts, Rohit's life could have been saved.
