Dibrugarh: Two brothers sustained serious injuries after a leopard attacked them while they were working in their paddy field at Oparlongtha village in the Sarupathar area of Golaghat district on Monday.The victims were identified as Debananda Buragohain (54) and Paresh Buragohain (51). Police said the duo was engaged in routine agricultural work when the leopard launched a sudden attack. Debananda suffered severe injuries to his face, stomach and other parts of the body, and one of his ears was torn in the mauling. Paresh, who tried to intervene, was also attacked and sustained deep lacerations on his hand and chest before the animal fled.
The leopard retreated after the brothers’ cries drew villagers to the spot, some carrying sticks and machetes. A local resident recorded a hazy mobile phone video of the incident from a distance.“It all happened in an instant. The leopard came out of nowhere and pounced on Debananda. By the time we reached them, both brothers were badly hurt and bleeding,” a villager said.Both men were taken to Sarupathar Civil Hospital and are undergoing treatment. Police and forest department officials later visited the site to assess the situation and initiate measures.Residents said the leopard has been entering human-inhabited areas and preying on livestock. “We are living in constant fear. The leopard has already taken many of our animals, and now it has attacked people working in the fields. We urge the authorities to take immediate action before someone is killed,” said Bidyadhar Gohain, a farmer.Forest officials advised villagers to remain vigilant and avoid going to fields alone, particularly in the early morning and evening when big cats are most active.
