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31-Year-Old Man Dies in Leopard Attack in Gujarat, Devastating Uttarakhand Family
Prakash Chand Bhatt, a 31-year-old from Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, died in a leopard attack while seeking employment in Gujarat. His death has devastated a family already burdened by the loss of his mother 15 years ago and a brother two years ago. Local officials are seeking financial assistance for the grieving family.
Quick Facts
Who
Prakash Chand Bhatt
What
Leopard attack resulting in death
When
June 18, 2026
Where
Gujarat
- Leopard attack resulting in death
- Search for employment in Gujarat
- Previous death of brother two years ago
- Previous death of mother 15 years ago
- Request for financial assistance
Prakash Chand Bhatt, a 31-year-old from Ganai Ganguoli village in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, died after being attacked by a leopard while working in Gujarat in search of employment. The incident has plunged his family and village into deep mourning. Bhatt was the son of Hargovind Bhatt, an elderly man who supports the family through manual labor, and belonged to a household already marked by tragedy.
The family has endured multiple losses in recent years. Prakash's mother passed away approximately 15 years ago, and one of his brothers died two years prior—wounds that had not yet healed when news of Prakash's death reached the village. Of four brothers, only two now survive: Prakash's brother Lalit Bhatt, who works as a laborer in the village, and their eldest brother Bhupesh Bhatt, employed in Chandigarh. Lalit described the family's anguish with a choked voice, emphasizing the cruel turn of fate that has struck them repeatedly.
The impact on the family has been severe and immediate. Prakash's elderly father Hargovind Bhatt and his elderly grandmother Mohni Devi have been overwhelmed by grief, repeatedly losing consciousness upon learning of his death. Villagers have gathered to provide support and comfort during this tragedy. In response to the family's dire circumstances, Joga Ram, the former village headman of Dhari Dhumalakoṭ, has called for the government to provide 2 million rupees in financial assistance to help the impoverished family cope with their loss.
Why This Matters
This tragedy underscores the dangerous working conditions and economic desperation that drive rural workers to seek employment far from home, often in hazardous environments. The repeated losses experienced by Prakash's family reflect broader systemic issues of rural poverty and the inadequacy of social safety nets in India. The community's call for government financial assistance highlights the urgent need for targeted support mechanisms for families devastated by sudden, unforeseeable tragedies—a concern relevant to readers interested in social welfare, rural development, and wildlife management policy.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WirePrakash Chand Bhatt killed in leopard attack in Gujarat