Tragedy Strikes in Durgam Village: 22-Year-Old Woman Dies After Leopard Attack
A devastating incident occurred in Durgam village, approximately 30 kilometers from Gudiyatham town in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday. The victim, identified as 22-year-old S. Anjali, succumbed to her injuries after a leopard attacked her near her residence.
Anjali’s parents, K. Sivalingam, 52, and S. Padma, 47, are farmers in the village, which is part of the Melmoil village panchayat under the K.V. Kuppam block in Vellore district. Durgam village is situated on the fringes of the Anoop Reserve Forest (RF) in the hillock, near the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border.
The incident occurred around 3 p.m. when Anjali ventured out of her house to collect small pieces of firewood near the RF. A leopard suddenly attacked her, prompting efforts to trap the animal. R. Vinoba, forest range officer (Gudiyatham), stated that a few neighbors witnessed the animal dragging the victim into the forest when they shouted for help.
As more residents rushed to the scene, the leopard left the victim and escaped into the dense forest. Based on an alert, K.V. Kuppam police and forest officials from Gudiyatham range were rushed to the spot. The body has been sent to the Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore town for postmortem.
K.V. Kuppam police have registered a case, and Vellore District Forest Officer (DFO) Guruswamy Dabbala was informed about the incident. The Forest Department has formed special teams to trap the animal and bring the perpetrator to justice.
Key Facts:
- Location: Durgam village, 30 km from Gudiyatham town in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu
- Victim: S. Anjali, 22 years old
- Cause of death: Leopard attack
- Incident time: Around 3 p.m. on Wednesday
- Response: K.V. Kuppam police and forest officials from Gudiyatham range were involved in the rescue operation.