JAMSHEDPUR: A wave of panic gripped the Steel City on Tuesday evening after a video circulating on social media claimed that a leopard was sighted near the busy Tatanagar Railway Station yard. Following the viral video, the forest department and railway authorities have swung into action to verify the claims and ensure the safety of railway staff and local residents.
Unverified Video Sparks Panic
The widely shared WhatsApp video shows a leopard-like animal running through the bushes near the railway tracks. However, the authenticity of the video has not yet been officially confirmed by the railway authorities. Railway sources stated that the matter is currently being thoroughly investigated to ascertain if the video was indeed shot at the Tatanagar yard and whether the threat is real.
Forest Dept Swings Into Action, Installs Trap Cameras
Taking immediate cognizance of the viral video, the forest department launched a search and verification operation. Jamshedpur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saba Alam Ansari confirmed that the department received information about the circulating video. He stated that forest department personnel were immediately rushed to the location. To track the movement of the animal, the team is installing trap cameras near the possible spots and actively searching for pugmarks (footprints) in the vicinity to identify the species.
Could It Be a Wild Cat?
While the video has caused widespread fear among locals and railway workers, DFO Saba Alam Ansari expressed the possibility that the animal in question might not actually be a leopard. He indicated that it could be a large wild cat, which are sometimes mistaken for leopards in the dark. The forest department is keeping all possibilities in mind while conducting the search operation.
READ MORE :Jamshedpur News :Tata Steel Foundation and Standard Chartered Expand Collaboration to Strengthen Watershed Development and Climate Adaptation
RPF on High Alert
Given the sensitivity of the Tatanagar yard—a high-traffic area with continuous shunting operations and round-the-clock movement of railway staff—the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been put on high alert. Railway employees working night shifts have been strictly advised to remain cautious, stay in groups, and avoid isolated or bushy areas until the forest department completes its investigation and secures the area.
