Nashik (Correspondent): A 21-year-old woman, Payal Raju Chavan, lost her life in a tragic leopard attack near Vanarwadi Phata on the Nashik-Dindori road. This marks the second such incident in the Vanarwadi area, sparking concern and fear among residents of Dindori taluka.
According to reports, the Chavan family was working in their field cutting grass after participating in a local Akhand Harinam Saptah (religious event). While Payal was cutting grass near a sugarcane crop, a leopard suddenly attacked her from behind, biting her neck and dragging her approximately six to seven feet.
Her sister, who was nearby, raised an alarm upon witnessing the attack. Hearing the screams, other family members, including Payal’s father, uncle, and neighboring farmers rushed to the spot. The leopard fled the scene after being startled by the commotion.
Payal was immediately taken to a private hospital, but was denied treatment there. She was then rushed to the Dindori Rural Hospital, where medical officer Dr. Kadam examined her and declared her dead.
Following the incident, local residents and Payal’s grieving family expressed their anger and frustration. Due to the increasing number of leopard attacks in the region, they initially refused to accept Payal’s body after the post-mortem, demanding urgent action and a permanent solution from the forest department to prevent further tragedies.
