BAHRAICH, Sept. 2 -- A 28-year-old man was killed in a leopard attack in Mahbubnagar village under the Kakarha Range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in the early hours of Tuesday. The incident has caused concern among residents living close to the forest. According to divisional forest officer (DFO) Apoorv Dixit, the incident took place around 3 am when the victim, Ram Singh, son of Malti Prasad, was sleeping on a cot in the veranda of his house. The leopard reportedly entered the residential premises and attacked Ram Singh before dragging him several metres away from the house. His family members woke up after hearing his screams and began searching for him after finding him missing from his cot. After about two hours of searching, they found Ram Singh's mutilated body lying in bushes around 700 metres from the house. The incident has once again highlighted the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in villages along the forest fringe of the Katarniaghat landscape, particularly during the monsoon season. DFO Apoorv Dixit said the forest department has taken immediate steps to trace and capture the leopard believed to be responsible for the attack. Camera traps and cages are being installed at strategic points to monitor the animal's movement and safely capture it. The forest department has provided Rs.10,000 in immediate financial assistance to the bereaved family, the DFO said. He added that proceedings for payment of further compensation to the family were being initiated in accordance with prescribed government rules. Dixit appealed to people living near forest areas to exercise extreme caution. He said the rainy season often leads to increased wildlife movement. The availability of water inside forests and other seasonal factors can result in wild animals moving towards areas inhabited by humans. The forest department has advised residents, particularly those living on the forest fringe, to avoid sleeping in the open or on verandas, especially at night....