Naxalbari, 20th December: After nearly three months of fear and uncertainty, tea garden workers in Naxalbari’s Jabra Division finally found relief on Saturday morning when a leopard was successfully caged by the Forest Department.
The frequent movement of a leopard in the Jabra Division tea garden had created panic among workers, affecting their daily work and safety. In response to the growing threat, tea garden workers submitted a memorandum to the Forest Department on December 13, demanding the installation of a cage to capture the animal.
Acting on the request, the Panighata Forest Department installed a cage in the tea garden on Thursday. Early Saturday morning, the leopard was lured by bait and trapped inside the cage. The workers spotted the caged leopard in the morning and immediately informed forest officials.
Forest personnel soon arrived at the spot and rescued the leopard. According to Forest Department sources, the animal will undergo a health check-up and will later be released into a suitable deep forest area.
While the capture of the leopard has brought a sense of relief among tea garden workers, concerns remain. Workers have expressed apprehension that more leopards may still be present in the area and have urged the Forest Department to install additional cages to ensure long-term safety.