Tension gripped residents of Sangu Dhaun village, located on the outskirts of Muktsar town along Bathinda Road, after reports emerged of two wild cats being sighted near the village pond on Wednesday.

Notably, the district police lines, which house the SSP office, is also situated on the outskirts of this village.

The wild cats were reportedly seen moving through the dense wild growth surrounding the village pond on Thandewala Road.

“There is panic in the village after two wild animals resembling leopards were spotted. We appeal to the authorities concerned to catch them at the earliest and prevent any untoward incident,” said Balkar Singh, a resident of the village.

Sandeep Singh, another resident, echoed similar concerns, saying, “Children are afraid to step out, and even the elders have restricted their movement after dusk. The threat is real.”

Former sarpanch Mohinder Singh also confirmed the sighting. “Some residents saw the animals resembling leopards near the pond. We have never faced anything like this before,” he said.

The Forest and Wildlife Prevention Department has sent a team to the site, and a cage trap has been set up near the area where the wild cats were last seen.

“We have placed a cage and are closely monitoring the situation,” said Jagsir Singh, an official from the Forest and Wildlife Prevention Department who visited Sangu Dhaun village.

Amritpal Singh Brar, District Forest Officer (DFO), Muktsar, said, “Two wild cats were spotted by village residents. This is the mating season. Since the wheat crop has been harvested, these wild animals tend to move to cooler places. A wildlife team is monitoring the situation and trying to capture the wild cats.”

He further said the wild cat is brown in colour and has a broad tail. “Their appearance caused fear among the residents,” claimed the DFO.