Bahraich, Dec. 20 -- A seven-year-old girl died and a farmer was injured in two leopard attack incidents in the Bahraich district within 24 hours. The attacks were reported from the Motipur and Sujauli areas, near the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) located on the Indo-Nepal border. A farmer was attacked by a leopard in Maharaj village under the Motipur area while he was irrigating his field. The injured farmer, identified as Arun Yadav. Hearing his cries for help, villagers working in nearby fields rushed to the spot with sticks. Startled by the crowd, the leopard fled, sparing Yadav's life. He suffered a deep injury to his leg and was immediately taken to a local health centre by his family. After first aid, he was referred to the district hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment and is stated to be out of danger. Barely a day earlier, seven-year-old Almeen died in a leopard attack, in Ayodhyapurwa village of the Sujauli police station area, around 100 km from the district headquarters. The girl was playing outside her house in the evening when a leopard emerged from a sugarcane field and dragged her away in its jaws. Despite efforts by family members and villagers to rescue her, the leopard escaped. After an overnight search, Almeen's mutilated body was recovered from a sugarcane field about 500 meters from her house. She was taken to the community health centre, where doctors declared her dead. Following the two incidents, divisional forest officer (DFO), Katarniaghat, Suraj Kumar, said that immediate financial assistance of Rs.5,000 has been provided to the family of the deceased child, while the remaining compensation will be given as per forest department norms. The DFO said that three leopard-related incidents have occurred in the area since last year, and three leopards have already been captured and released. He attributed the rising conflict to extensive sugarcane cultivation near forest areas, as leopards often take shelter in such fields, posing a threat to nearby villages. Officials said camera traps are being installed in the area, and preparations are underway to place cages after obtaining the required permissions....