Kotagarh: Panic gripped the people of Jhariapada village under Kotagarh block in Kandhamal district after they spotted a cheetah chasing their domestic animals while they were gazing at a jungle near a government-run primary school at 3 pm Saturday.
The cheetah ran into the dense forest after intervention from the people. The villagers and school headmaster informed the forest personnel following which the officials visited the spot and examined the footprints of the animal. However, they couldn’t identify the animal as the footprints were partially erased.
Most of the villages under Kotagarh block are located in the Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
After the news of spotting the cheetah, the residents of Hatapada, Rajasahi, Sagadiasahi and Colony Sahi have stopped venturing into forests. They have also stopped sending their children for going to tuition.
PNN
