BARAMULLA: Presence of three leopards has created panic among the local residents of Nowpora Jagir in Kreeri belt of Baramulla on Thursday morning.
Local people said that a leopard was spotted in the area on Tuesday and Wednesday and they called wildlife officials who reached the spot but could not trace them.
However on Thursday morning they spotted three leopards in the area very close to the residential areas which is a matter of concern. They said after they spotted the beasts in the area, they restricted the movement of their children, women and elderly persons.
Meanwhile, the officials of the wildlife department said that they will install a cage in the area to catch them.
“We had installed a cage in the area but on that day the animals disappeared, you know we have a limited staff and could not be present in every area and one time, earlier we have installed two cages in Handwara and two teams are in search of a black bear who attacked an elderly person yesterday, how can we deploy more men in Kreeri area as we have very limited staff, but we assure you that we will install a cage again in the area” an official of the wildlife said.
He appealed to people to be vigilant and not venture in orchards alone mostly in morning and evening hours.

Reader correspondent