DC directs for compensation; suspends Range Officer
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 4: A 4-year-old girl who was missing from the Housing Colony Ompora area of district Budgam since yesterday was today found dead in a nearby dense bushy nursery.
Officials said that the police and locals had launched a search operation after the girl, identified as Adha Shakil, was missing since last evening after she was out playing with her friends.
The girl was found mauled by the leopard resulting in her death. As the body was found in the morning, scores of people later participated in the last rites of the girl with mixed feelings of sadness and anger. Click here to watch video
Keeping in view the sensitivity of the incident, the district administration apart from taking a slew of measures has directed the concerned department to process the case of compensation to the family of the deceased girl within 3 days.
The locals said that the wild animals were spotted in the plant nursery way back in 2014 and they have been appealing to the concerned department to take measures to prevent the loss of life.
It is to be noted here that the leopard is still expected to be roaming around in the area while the wildlife officials said that they are seeking permission concerning the killing of the leopard and have also engaged several hunters who are on the job.
Meanwhile, in the backdrop of the incident an emergency meeting chaired by DC Budgam with SSP Budgam, Divisional Forest Office, Budgam and Wildlife Warden, Budgam was held, during which several decisions to prevent such incidents were taken.
As per details, DFO, PP Division Budgam has been directed to ensure immediate removal of fallen material and other cultural operations at Ompora Forests and other risk areas forthwith to avoid any further loss of life and property in the area.
The DFO has also been asked to immediately take steps for erection and strengthening of existing chain-link fencing at Ompora forests and submit DPR to the higher authorities for sanction of funds.
Wildlife Warden Budgam has been asked to deploy staff well equipped with machinery for the elimination of the wild animal (leopard) which has turned man-eater after obtaining sanction from the competent authority.
Also, the wildlife staff will be deputed in the periphery of the Ompora Forests for patrolling and awareness among the general public regarding the roaming of the leopard in the area.
The Wild Life Warden Budgam has also been asked to immediately prepare a compensation case for a 4-year-old girl who was mauled to death by a leopard and get the case sanctioned from the competent authority within 03 days positively so that necessary compensation is paid to the family of the deceased.
Later, DC Budgam ordered the suspension of Range Officer of the Wildlife Department in Ompora for dereliction of duties in the backdrop of leopard mauling a 4-year-old girl to death.
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