Estate workers stage dharna as leopard attack continues

At least eight leopards are believed to be in the area, according to sources

Workers and residents of theTamil Nadu Tea Plantation Corporation (TANTEA) estate at Cinchona near Valparai staged a dharna on Saturday raising various demands after a 45-year-old-woman was injured in a leopard attack on Friday. They demanded Forest Department authorities to place a cage to trap leopards that stray into estate quarters.

While Chandramathi of Cinchona first division was attacked by a leopard on Friday evening, a 10-year-old girl was injured in a similar leopard attack at TANTEA estate at Periyakallar near Valparai on May 25.

R.G. Sekhar, forest range officer of Manombolly range, and the police held talks with the protesters and pacified them. The workers informed TANTEA authorities that they will continue to stay away from work till arrangements are made to prevent leopard attacks.

Forest Department has not decided to place a cage at the estate as trapping the very leopard that attacked the woman and girl is not practical. According to officials, at least eight leopards are believed to be in the area. However, Forest Department has placed six camera traps to track movements the big cats.

Chandramathi is currently under treatment at the Government Hospital, Pollachi. The animal tried to drag the woman by biting her leg while she was washing utensils in the backyard of her quarters on Friday evening. The animal left when neighbours rushed for Chandramathi's rescue.