A man-eater leopard, responsible for three deaths in Pune district’s Pimparkhed village and surrounding areas in the last 20 days, was shot dead during a joint operation by the Forest Department and a rescue team, officials said.

According to a release, three people, including a 5-year-old girl, an 82-year-old woman and a 13-year-old boy, were killed in separate attacks since October 12, triggering massive public anger across Junnar, Shirur, Ambegaon and Khed talukas.

Following the death of a 13-year-old boy, a mob torched a forest patrol vehicle and a local base camp building. Protests intensified Monday as villagers blocked the Pune-Nashik highway near Manchar for nearly 18 hours, demanding immediate action against the predator.

Forest officials said Pune Conservator of Forests Ashish

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