Jamshedpur: Panic spread across the Tatanagar Railway Yard after reports surfaced about a leopard-like wild animal being spotted inside the premises. A video circulating widely on social media allegedly shows the animal moving through dense bushes within the yard, creating fear among railway employees and residents living nearby.
Taking the incident seriously, the Tatanagar railway administration has written to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saba Alam Ansari and shared the viral footage, requesting an immediate verification and rescue operation by the forest department.
The railway yard is considered a highly sensitive area due to continuous movement of railway staff and round-the-clock shunting activities. The possibility of a wild predator in the vicinity has raised major safety concerns.
Soon after receiving the alert, the forest department deployed a special team to the spot. Acting on the DFO’s instructions, researcher Imran and forester Mithun are leading the operation. The team has started intensive monitoring in the area and is preparing to install trap cameras to confirm the animal’s presence and track its movement.
Residents living in railway colonies and nearby localities are also on edge, especially because several parts of the yard are covered with thick vegetation and isolated stretches that could provide shelter to a wild animal.
Railway authorities and the forest department have jointly appealed to the public to remain cautious. People have been advised not to walk alone in deserted areas at night, avoid leaving children unattended outdoors, and refrain from approaching or filming any wild animal. Citizens have also been urged to immediately inform authorities about any suspicious movement.
Security patrols and surveillance inside the railway yard have been intensified. Officials said the exact situation will become clear only after the forest department completes its investigation and reviews footage from the trap cameras.
“Public safety is our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation and request everyone to stay alert and cooperate with the authorities,” an official said.