Old photo used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, Nov 1,
Fear has gripped residents of Sanjauli’s Chalonthi area after a leopard was spotted prowling through a residential colony late Friday evening. The wild cat, believed to be the same animal that attacked a teenager earlier this week, was caught on CCTV footage around 7:20 pm, running out from an under-construction house and darting across the Batish Colony road — barely missing a scooter rider who passed by moments later.
The video, now circulating widely on social media, has amplified local anxiety, with residents demanding swift action from the Forest Department to trap the big cat before it causes harm.
Local councillor Mamta Chandel confirmed that the leopard has been roaming in the area for the past three to four days. “It was first seen attacking a 15-year-old boy who had stepped out to relieve himself. The boy narrowly escaped by running indoors,” she said. “The leopard is sighted every evening in different corners of the colony. Cages need to be placed at multiple points — not just one — to ensure its capture.”
A cage has already been installed in the area, but residents say that is not enough. The Laxmi Narayan Temple, located adjacent to the colony, remains a particular concern since devotees visit until late hours. “People are terrified to step out after sunset. Many residents return home late from offices, and others go for early morning walks along the bypass road. The fear is real,” Chandel added.
This incident is not isolated. Over the past few years, leopard sightings in Shimla’s residential areas have become alarmingly frequent. Similar cases have been reported from Navbahar, Bharari, Kuftadhar, Tutikandi, Mehli, Dhobighat, Lalpani, Himalaya, and Raj Bhavan. Tragically, leopards have already claimed the lives of two children in the Himland and Lalpani localities.
Repeated leopard encounters — including attacks on pedestrians in Dhobighat, Bharari, and Tutikandi — underline a deepening human-wildlife conflict as urban expansion continues to encroach upon forested hillsides.
Forest officials have advised residents to avoid walking alone after dark, keep their surroundings well-lit, and report any movement immediately. The department maintains that a rescue team is on alert and efforts are underway to capture the leopard safely.
Meanwhile, residents of Sanjauli remain on edge — anxious that another brush with the elusive predator could turn fatal.
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