Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant has hosted many eminent personalities over the years, but Thursday morning was quite different as the guest was an unwelcome wild beast which brought the big factory to a grinding halt for some hours.
A leopard, that was spotted roaming freely inside the factory early morning, led to the cancellation of first shift as police and forest officials frantically tried to locate the wild cat.
Thousands of workers waited outside the plant, which rolls out best seller models like Baleno and Dzire, as search parties went around the premises looking for the prized "guest".
A security personnel had first sighted the leopard early morning at around 4 AM, as it went around the 'Engine Department'.
Thousands of workers who arrived for the morning shift at around 7 AM were asked to stand outside the plant due to safety reasons.
Private security personnel were also asked to stay away from the plant.
Production resumed at the plant post noon after the leopard sneaked into a nearby building, and forest department and wildlife officials cordoned off the structure.
The officials were trying to catch the wild cat, company officials said.
"After ensuring safety of employees and facilities production is resumed from second shift today," a company official said.
MSI produces around 5,000-5,500 units per day from its two facilities at Gurgaon and Manesar. The factories generally have two shifts.
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