Monkey mece grips Digboi

40 people suffer bites, limited antidote stock in government hospital runs out, administration in deep slumber

Our Correspondent

DIGBOI, April 10: Much to the surprise of all, the oil town of Digboi is in grip a monkey mece, with the simians creating a panic, especially among pedestrians in various localities of the town.

According to victims, herds comprising of two to three monkeys have been spotted along the roadside or on rooftops of the residences and shops in areas like Muliabari, Charali, Jasoda  Road, Itavata, Digboi College and old Aod Hr Secondary School. “They launch sudden attacks on passers-by. They particularly target females. Several people have been injured in monkey bites in the last few days,” said a local.

Meanwhile, sources at the Community Health Centre at Digboi said that the victims of monkey-bites have been rushing for anti-dotes which unfortutely has exhausted in just two days due to its limited stock in the hospital.

However, Rameswar Dhanowar, the local MLA and the chairman of the hospital magement committee, told The Sentinel here that he has been helping the victims fincially for getting treatment.

According to him, though the DFO was contacted in this regard, no initiative has been taken to combat the mece of monkeys that has been growing everyday in the township, threatening the safety of the people. Bhaskar Jibon Baruah has also been assisting the victims fincially purchasing anti-dotes from drug stores.

Lambasting the forest department, Dhanowar said it has been ictive and indifferent towards the problem being faced by the people. “The civil administration too has been in deep slumber,” Dhanowar said, adding that provisions for tranquilizing the herd of monkeys and rehabilitating them are the only means to address the mece. 

According to him, more than 40 people have suffered monkey bites so far. Dhanowar urged the district administration to make arrangements to provide anti-dotes to the victims who cannot afford to buy it from the open market.

According to wildlife specialists, many people make the mistake of feeding the monkeys. “The monkeys turally return, asking for more and expecting to be fed on a daily basis. The only solution to this problem is to start a centre with the support of the authorities and look after these animals in that shelter,” they felt.