PUNE: A leopard has caused panic on the National Defence Academy (NDA) campus and in nearby villages. The NDA officials have issued a cautionary notice asking officials and civilians not to venture out alone after sunset. 

Meanwhile, the Forest Department officials have increased vigil around the campus. However, the leopard has not affected the training schedule of the cadets. 

The NDA officials said that residents of the sprawling campus had reported a sighting of the leopard including pug marks early this month. Accordingly, the cautionary notice was issued. 

The notice stated, “A leopard has been spotted several times at the following locations – near filtration plant, Pashan gate, Trishakti gate, Long Range and golf course. In order to avoid any untoward incident, following cautionary measures may please be exercised by all ranks, including civilian staff and their families –  (a) Avoid single movement after sunset, children are not to be left all alone, especially in dark hours or late evenings without any elderly attendance. (b) Officers and staff are to also sensitise their respective families on this issue. All are to ensure that the surrounding areas of their respective quarters are well lit up in the night. (c) All are to be more vigilant and careful and report such incidents to the security section immediately.”

Shreelaxmi Annabathula, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Pune), on Saturday, told Sakal Times, “We have increased patrolling and have instructed the guards to be alert.”

A senior NDA official added, “About 2/3 area of the campus is having vegetation. Hence, the animal might have come from the adjoining forest area. We had issued the notice as a precautionary step. The training of the cadets is going on as usual.”