Baramulla, Aug 8:- Residents of Microwave Kanli bagh Friends Colony and Chinar Bagh in Baramulla town on Saturday staged a protest against the Wildlife Department, alleging inaction over the movement of a leopard in the area for the last one and a half month.

Scores of residents, including youth and elderly, assembled and raised slogans against the department. They said the presence of the wild animal has created panic and fear, with people afraid to venture out during early morning and evening hours.
"The leopard has been sighted multiple times in the locality for the past one and a half month. Our children are unable to go to school alone and we cannot move out after evening. We are living in constant fear," said a group of protesting residents.
The residents alleged that despite informing the concerned authorities several times, no effective measures were taken until now.
Meanwhile, officials of the Wildlife Department said that they have taken serious note of the complaints and have installed two cages at different vulnerable locations in Kanlibagh and adjoining areas to trap the leopard.
The officials have urged the locals to avoid unnecessary movement, especially during early morning and evening hours, which are the active hours of the animal. They also advised people to keep surroundings clean, avoid dumping kitchen waste in open, make noise while moving, and use firecrackers or other deterrents if the animal is sighted, besides immediately informing the department.
The protesting residents have appealed to Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to personally intervene in the matter and direct the concerned department to intensify the operation so that the wild animal is captured at the earliest and people are freed from panic before any untoward incident takes place.