Guwahati, June 1: A leopard was killed and its body was mutilated by villagers reportedly after the animal critically injured a man. The incident took place in Sonari area of Assam's Charaideo district on Friday. Villagers gouged leopard's eyes out and cut off the paws and tail after killing the big cat. They hanged its body to a pole. Locals said they were compelled to kill the leopard because the animal was attacking people and animals in the area.

The leopard had attacked a villager, Nileswar Changmai, on Friday. 82-year-old Changmai was rushed to Charaideo Civil Hospital and later shifted to Dibrugarh Assam Medical College and Hospital where he is battling for his life. Following the attack, an angry mob gheraoed the leopard and killed it. According to locals, the animal was not only targeting people but ate several domestic animals in the area. Leopard Enters Residential Area in Gujarat, Captured After 7-Hour Struggle.

"The leopard had strayed out of a nearby forest, entered the village and attacked a man. An enraged mob gheraoed the leopard and killed it. They strung its body by a pole. Different parts of its body like one foot, some teeth and nails, was cut off and broken by people," Anand Mishra, SP Charaideo, was quoted by The Indian Express as saying. By the time a team of Forest Department arrived at the spot, villagers had killed the leopard. Can You Spot a Snow Leopard in This Pic? Photograph of Big Cat Hiding in Plain Sight Goes Viral.

A forest department official said that they are investigating the incident and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. "He (leopard) attacked a man in the morning and injured him grievously. On hearing the noise the villagers surrounded the leopard and killed him," one of the villagers told ANI. A case has also been registered in this regard under relevant sections of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 01, 2019 01:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).