Leopard drags away 10-year-old Rohit from home courtyard on Diwali evening in Lakhimpur Kheri, body found near sugarcane field A 10-year-old boy named Rohit was killed by a leopard in Jamunabad village of Lakhimpur Kheri while lighting firecrackers on Diwali evening. His body was found near a sugarcane field on Monday morning. 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. What this means for you The fatal leopard attack in Lakhimpur Kheri underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in villages bordering forest zones. • Across Uttar Pradesh: Forest authorities are likely to step up night patrols and monitoring protocols near rural settlements adjacent to wildlife habitats. Residents in risk zones are advised to maintain strict safety precautions after sunset. • In Lakhimpur Kheri: Immediate measures, including setting up new trap cages and monitoring sugarcane fields, are being deployed in Jamunabad and neighboring villages. Local authorities advise residents to keep children indoors after dark. Why this happened This tragic event occurred due to prolonged leopard activity near Jamunabad village coupled with delayed preventive measures by forest authorities. • Proximity to Forest Cover: Jamunabad village lies adjacent to the South Kheri Forest Division, with surrounding sugarcane fields offering ideal camouflage for predatory animals. • Unheeded Prior Warnings: According to local residents, the leopard had preyed on four goats within a week leading up to the incident, yet no immediate trap was re-deployed. • Discontinued Trapping Efforts: An earlier trap cage set up by forest officials was removed after the animal evaded it, leaving the area vulnerable to further attacks. Questions & Answers 1. Where and when did the incident take place? The incident occurred on Diwali evening in Jamunabad village, located under the South Kheri Forest Division in Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh. 2. Who was the victim of the leopard attack? The victim was 10-year-old Rohit, who was the only child of his parents. 3. What was Rohit doing at the time of the attack? Rohit was lighting firecrackers with his friend Kartik in the courtyard of his house when the leopard attacked him. 4. Where was the child's body recovered? Rohit's body was recovered on Monday morning from bushes near a sugarcane field, about 150 meters away from his house. 5. What allegations did villagers make against the forest department? Villagers alleged that despite prior warnings about the leopard killing four goats over a week, forest authorities failed to set a timely trap and had previously removed an earlier cage. https://trendkia.com/en/national/lakhimpur-kheri-men-dipavali-ki-shama-ghara-se-10-varshiya-rohit-ko-khincha-le-gaya-tendua-jhariyon-men-mila-shava-58389 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.