Priest dies in alleged leopard attack in Udpr

Gogunda (Udaipur): An elderly temple priest was killed in a suspected leopard attack here, officials said on Monday.

The incident took place in Gogunda on Sunday morning. Vishnu Giri, 65, was sleeping outside a temple in the Rathodo Ka Gudha area in Gogunda when a wild animal dragged him into the forest and mauled him to death. His mutilated body was found nearly 150 metres from the temple on Monday morning, police said.

Locals claimed Giri was attacked by a leopard. However, an investigation is underway to ascertain if he was attacked by a leopard or some other animal.

Gogunda has been gripped by fear due to multiple leopard attacks over the last few days and five people have been killed in so far.

Meanwhile, another priest was seriously injured after being attacked by a bear on Sunday night near Bhairu Darwaza in Sawai Madhopur. Acharya Hiteshwaranand was taken to the district hospital in a critical condition from where he was referred to SMS Hospital in Jaipur.

The priest was sleeping in the open. Around 10.30 pm, suddenly a bear came and attacked the priest. The priest suffered deep wounds on his hands, legs and head. Soon, two of his neighbours rushed him to the district hospital.