According to the Forest Department, a leopard pounced on Varadarajan, 63, involved in harvesting maize in his farm at Pappankulam around 8 am. Shocked on seeing a leopard, Maran, 66, a farm hand came rushing with a wooden log to chase it away; however he too came under attack by the animal. On hearing their loud cries, the other villagers arrived forcing the leopard to retreat into the bushes.