Doomdooma: Tension gripped the Raidang Tea Estate area in Doomdooma of Tinsukia district on Saturday as locals staged demanding the immediate capture of a leopard that has been terrorising residents.
The protest followed an attack on a woman , a tea garden worker a day earlier, triggering fear and anger among workers and residents.
“The fear of leopard attacks has been rising in recent days. Despite repeated appeals, the garden authorities have failed to take adequate steps to control the situation. Previous incidents were not treated seriously. Our agitation will continue until our demands are fulfilled,” said Irot Tanti, president of the Doomdooma branch of ATTSA.
The victim, identified as Mira Gajin, was attacked on Friday while working inside Raidang Tea Estate.
She sustained injuries in the sudden assault and was immediately rushed to the Doomdooma FRU hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
Eyewitnesses present at the scene described a tense situation during the attack.
“There were two leopards in the area, and one of them suddenly attacked her,” said a local resident, adding to concerns about the presence of multiple big cats in the vicinity.
Residents have alleged that the leopard has been frequently sighted in and around the tea estate, posing a continuous threat to the safety of workers. They have urged the forest department to take swift action, including trapping or relocating the animal, to prevent further incidents.
The incident once again highlights the growing human-wildlife conflict in Upper Assam’s tea garden areas, where increasing leopard movement has put lives at risk.