Eight-yr-old boy killed in leopard attack; villagers allege inaction

Thane: An 8-year-old boy was killed in a leopard attack on Tuesday morning in the forested hills of Kasara in Thane district, triggering protests by villagers who alleged forest dept inaction despite repeated warnings about the animal's movement.The deceased was identified as Krishna Bhaga Agiwale, a resident of Kalbhonde village in the Kasara range. Police said the incident took place around 8 am when Krishna had gone to a nearby forested hill with two friends to collect wild fruit. Officials said the boy was plucking mangoes when a leopard, believed to have been hiding in dense bushes, suddenly pounced on him. The animal dragged him into the thicket before his friends could react. The two children ran back to the village and alerted locals.Villagers and family members rushed to the spot, but the child had succumbed to the attack by the time they reached the spot. Tensions escalated as locals refused to move the body from the spot for several hours, demanding the presence of forest officials and immediate action to capture the leopard. However, following assurances from authorities, the body was sent to a govt hospital for post-mortem.