Crop guards killed 17 monkeys, investigation begins

Raipur (Team Newsbuddy): The Forest Department has started an investigation into the death of 17 monkeys on August 28 in village Belgaum of Thanakhamharia tehsil of Bemetara district of Chhattisgarh. Here the guards appointed to save the vegetable crop are accused of killing the monkeys by firing with air pistols. The Forest Department has so far recovered four rotten bodies of monkeys.

The Forest Department has started an investigation into the death of 17 monkeys on August 28 in village Belgaum of Thanakhamharia tehsil of Bemetara district of Chhattisgarh. Here the guards appointed to save the vegetable crop are accused of killing the monkeys by firing with air pistols.

The Forest Department has so far recovered four rotten bodies of monkeys. The condition of the bodies was so bad that even their post-mortem could not be done. Their remains have been sent for forensic examination. A crime has been registered against the accused under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Hindu organizations have expressed anger over the incident and demanded strict action. Panch Sitaram Verma said that keepers were called to drive away monkeys from the village. On Wednesday, the monkey chaser opened fire in front of his house. 10 monkeys died in this. Some other injured monkeys were also killed on Thursday.

He said that videos and photographs of 17 dead monkeys have been shared with the forest department officials. On the other hand, Durg DFO Chandrashekhar Pardeshi said that the villagers have been questioned. The rotten bodies of four monkeys have been found from the spot. The cause of death of the monkeys has not been ascertained yet.