Lucknow: A 45-year-old farmer was seriously injured in a leopard attack while he was working in his field in the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division. The farmer fought back against the animal but sustained severe injuries to his right hand.The incident took place around 1 pm on Sunday in Prithvipurwa hamlet of Jhala village under the Motipur range. The victim, identified as Kennu, had gone to work in his field when a leopard hiding in an adjoining sugarcane field suddenly attacked him.Despite the sudden assault, Kennu resisted the animal and fought back. During the struggle, the leopard seriously injured his right hand before retreating into the sugarcane field.The injured farmer reached home, and his family members rushed him to the Motipur Community Health Centre. After providing first aid, doctors referred him to a medical college for further treatment in view of the severity of his injuries.Divisional forest officer, Katarniaghat Wildlife Division, Apoorv Dixit, said a forest department team was dispatched to the spot after receiving information about the attack. Patrolling in the area has been intensified, and villagers have been advised to remain alert.Dixit also cautioned farmers, particularly during the ongoing sugarcane and paddy harvesting season, to exercise extra vigilance while working in agricultural fields. He said farmers should avoid entering fields alone, remain alert while cutting crops, and take precautions against possible encounters with leopards and other wild animals that may be hiding in standing crops.The forest department is also reaching out to villagers to spread awareness and prevent further human-wildlife encounters.
