Tarun Kanti, Thakurgaon:
 
The movements of two adult leopards on the opposite bank of the Nagar River near the Bangladesh-India border in Baliadangi upazila of Thakurgaon have sparked panic among residents of nearby villages.
 
The two big cats were spotted around 6:00am on Friday by a local teenager named Zubayer Al Amin, who was near the border. He immediately captured photographs of the animals on his mobile phone.
 
According to local sources, the leopards were roaming close to settlements along the Bangladesh border before entering a nearby tea garden. As the Nagar River serves as part of the natural boundary between Bangladesh and India, residents fear the animals could cross the river and enter Bangladeshi territory.
 
Locals said, “Sighting of the leopards has spread out panic among the local residents that disrupts normal activities of the people at several bordering villages. Farmers are reportedly afraid to go to their fields, while residents are concerned about the safety of their families and livestock.
 
Locals said the presence of wild animals so close to human settlements had heightened their security concerns. They noted that the leopards' speed and ability to hide in dense vegetation inside the tea garden made it difficult to track their movements.
 
Many fear that the animals could cross the river at any time and enter nearby villages, potentially posing a threat to human lives and domestic animals.
 
No specific statement has so far been received from the relevant Forest Department authorities regarding verification of the sighting or possible safety measures.
 
However, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) 50 Battalion in Thakurgaon said there was little reason for concern, as the animals had been spotted on the Indian side of the border.
 
The battalion said, it had nevertheless taken necessary measures to alert residents of the border areas and ensure their safety.