Range Officer suspended for dereliction of duty
Srinagar: A leopard killed a minor girl and devoured most parts of her body in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said on Friday.
They said the girl identified as Adda Yasir Mir (4) daughter of Yasir Ahmad Mir had gone missing from Housing Colony Ompora Humhama Budgam from 4 p.m. after which her family lodged a report with nearby police station.
Most people suspected that the girl was taken away by the leopard and their worst fears came true when a team of police, SDRF and locals found a few of her body parts in the area in a dense nursery.
The locals said that a leap (group) of leopards was seen roaming in the area for quite some time now and accused wildlife officials of doing little to trap the wild beasts. No wildlife officer could be immediately contacted for comments.
Meanwhile, the authorities suspended Suhail Qazi, Range Officer Wildlife Department Ompora Budgam with immediate effect for dereliction of duties.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Budgam has been appointed inquiry officer into the matter.
An official said that the decision was taken during an emergency meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Shahbaz Mirza.
He said key decisions were also taken in a meeting to avert any further such unfortunate incidents in future. “The DC Budgam suspends Range Officer Wildlife department Ompora for dereliction of duties in backdrop of leopard mauling 4-year-old girl to death,” he added.
He said immediately steps will be taken for erection and strengthening of existing chain-link fencing at Ompora forests and will also submit DPR to the higher authorities for sanction of funds.
“Wild life Warden Budgam will deploy staff well equipped with machinery for elimination of the Wild Animal (Leopard) which has turned man-eater after obtaining sanction from the competent authority,” he said.
He said the Wild Life Staff will be deputed in the periphery of the Ompora Forests for patrolling and awareness among the general public regarding roaming of the leopard in the area. “Immediate steps will also be taken for capturing of the roaming animal in the forests. Any laxity on this score shall be dealt with strictly,” he said.
“Wild Life Warden Budgam has been directed to immediately prepare a compensation case of the minor, who was mauled to death by a leopard and get the case sanctioned from competent authority within three days positively so that necessary compensation is paid to the family of the deceased,” he added. (UNI)