BICHOLIM: Bicholim residents had an unwelcome guest on Friday morning when a leopard entered Van village in the taluka and attacked two persons, grievously injuring both the victims.

According to information from sources, the leopard was noticed in the village at Gaonkarwada at around 10:30 a.m. Ms Laxmi Gaonkar (55), unaware of the wild cat’s presence, was working in the backyard of her house when the leopard pounced on her and inflicted injuries on her throat. The animal then went away only to return back and attack one Mr Rajiv Kundanwar of the animal rescue squad  headed by Mr Amrut Singh, which was conducting a search for the leopard. The rescue squad was called in by the locals to capture the leopard. However, the leopard escaped from the scene after attacking both its victims. Mr Kundanwar sustained injuries on his back, legs and chest.
 Both the injured were rushed to the Bicholim primary health centre. Mr Kundanwar was discharged after medical treatment while Ms Laxmi Gaonkar has been referred to the Asilo hospital, Mapusa for further treatment.
The forest department officials and police have sealed the site of incident. As the leopard could not be captured, villagers fear that it could attack again. The forest officers attached to Keri-Sattari office Mr Tulshidas Wadkar, Mr Shetgaonkar and Mr Betkekar were present on the site.
Meanwhile, the forest officials have laid a trap to capture the leopard and a strict vigilance is being maintained so as to provide security to the villagers. It may be recalled that a leopard was noticed at Vhavati-Vathadev in Bicholim a fortnight ago. Mr Anil Govenkar had seen the leopard attacking his dog outside his house during night time. Quite a number of incidents involving leopards attacking villagers and animals at Kudchirem, Naigini-Vhavati and Vathadev have occurred till date. The residents of Van village have demanded that the government should put in extra efforts to trace these leopards that enter human habitat and attack the villagers.