Chamarajanagar, May 11 -- Following the death of 10-year-old Harshith from Bengaluru in a leopard attack during a padayatra from Nagamale to Male Mahadeshwara Hills (M.M. Hills) yesterday, the Forest Department has temporarily banned padayatra on the route to ensure the safety of devotees.

The Chamarajanagar District Administration is said to have issued directions in this regard, following which the Forest Department enforced the ban.

Forest personnel have launched a combing operation to capture the leopard and the ban on padayatra will remain in force until the animal is trapped, sources said. Four cages have been placed in the area to capture the leopard, while more than 30 Forest Department staff have been deployed at the spot to ke...