A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Rewanagar Shivara on Sunday morning when a 10-year-old girl, Deepmala Narsingh Padvi, was attacked and dragged away by a leopard while walking to the fields with her grandfather and uncle. The family had set out to fulfill a religious vow before harvesting their maize crop when the terrifying incident occurred around 9 to 10 a.m.
As they walked along the farm embankment, a leopard suddenly leaped from the dense maize field and pounced on Deepmala. Her grandfather, who was a short distance behind, only realized what had happened when he heard her screams. By then, the leopard had already vanished into the thick crops, carrying the terrified child with him. Hearing the grandfather’s desperate cries, Deepmala’s parents and uncle rushed to the scene. But fear of another attack held them back from immediately entering the maize field. Soon, neighbors and other villagers joined the frantic search, scouring the dense crops for nearly an hour, clinging to the hope of finding her alive.
Tragically, their worst fears came true Deepmala was found lying lifeless in a pool of blood. A deep wound on her neck left no doubt that she had succumbed to the attack. Overwhelmed with grief, her family broke down at the sight of their beloved daughter. This horrifying incident comes just a day after another fatal leopard attack in Ganesh Budhaval Shivara, where 47-year-old Lalitabai Padvi lost her life. The back-to-back attacks have left the residents of Taloda taluka in a state of fear and uncertainty.
In response, the forest department has ramped up efforts to track the leopard. Cameras and cages have been placed in Sardarnagar and Budhaval Shivara to monitor its movements, and patrolling in the area has been increased. Forest ranger Shantanu Sonawane assured the villagers that the department is working swiftly to capture the leopard, with plans to tranquilize and relocate it as soon as an opportunity arises.