Panic-stricken residents hide after leopard injures 6 in northern Indian city

In this Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 photo taken with a cellphone camera, an Indian policeman tries to charge a leopard with a stick that was spotted at a hospital in Meerut, India. Police said forestry officials and police armed with tranquilizer darts fanned out in search of the leopard that has been spotted in the northern India city, creating panic and driving people indoors. Police superintendent Abhiskek Singh said the leopard injured six people since it strayed into Meerut city and wandered into a hospital in the city two days ago. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

MEERUT, India – Police say forestry officials and police armed with tranquilizer darts are searching for a leopard that has injured six people in a northern Indian city, creating panic and driving people indoors.

Police superintendent Abhiskek Singh said the leopard has wandered through a hospital and a crowded market in Meerut city, setting off a minor stampede in which two more people were hurt.

Authorities ordered schools and colleges closed and asked people to stay indoors as police teams scoured the city.

Singh said schools reopened Tuesday. He said officials were on alert but it was likely the animal had fled to nearby forests.