In a tragic incident in Bihar's Madhubani district, a 67-year-old man, Ramnath Chaudhary, died after being attacked by a troop of over 20 monkeys. The incident occurred in Shahpur village, under Sripur Hati (north) panchayat in the Pandaul block of the district.
According to reports, Ramnath Chaudhary was collecting fodder for his livestock near his home on Sunday morning when he was suddenly attacked by a group of 20 to 25 monkeys. The monkeys severely bit and clawed at his hands, legs, and other parts of his body, causing grievous injuries.
Hearing his cries for help, nearby villagers rushed to the spot and managed to rescue him from the aggressive primates. Chaudhary was immediately taken to Madhubani Sadar Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. Ramnath Chaudhary was a retired clerk from the now-closed Lohat Sugar Mill.
The incident has sparked panic and outrage among local residents. Upon receiving the information, local head Ramkumar Yadav informed the Circle Officer of Pandaul, the Sub-Divisional Officer of Madhubani Sadar, the District Magistrate, and the Pandaul Police Station. Pandaul Circle Officer Purushottam Kumar and Police Station in-charge Md Nadeem visited the village and gathered information about the incident from the deceased's family, and informed senior officials. The forest department has been asked to take action to capture the monkeys.
This is not an isolated incident, as there have been several reports of monkey attacks in Bihar and other parts of India. In January 2025, a class 10 student in Bihar's Siwan district died after being pushed off the roof of her house by monkeys. In October 2024, a 52-year-old woman in Nirmal district, Telangana, died from head injuries sustained while trying to escape a monkey attack. In 2015, a priest in Patna, Bihar, died after a monkey dropped a brick on his head.
The increasing incidents of monkey attacks have become a major concern in India. Factors contributing to this issue include deforestation, urbanization, and lack of natural food sources for monkeys, which drive them to seek food in human settlements. Some experts point to a lack of population control for both humans and monkeys, along with the depletion of forest areas, as reasons behind the deteriorating relationship between humans and primates. The shift to monoculture farming has also led to increased rivalry and aggression amongst monkeys.
In many Indian cities, monkeys have become a menace, ransacking homes, biting residents, and even interfering with law enforcement. In Jaipur, Rajasthan, nearly 1,200 cases of monkey bites were reported last year. Monkeys have been known to steal food, damage property, and even snatch belongings from people.
While some efforts have been made to manage the monkey population, such as relocation and sterilization programs, these have not been entirely successful. Some states have even declared monkeys as vermin, allowing people to kill them, although this approach is controversial. Due to the monkeys' intelligence and adaptability, it's difficult to prevent them from returning to urban areas. Additionally, cultural beliefs in India impact how people treat monkeys, as the monkey deity Hanuman is revered in Hinduism.
The recent death of Ramnath Chaudhary highlights the urgent need for effective measures to address the monkey menace in India. This includes better waste management, protecting and restoring natural habitats, implementing effective population control measures, and raising awareness among the public about how to avoid conflict with monkeys.
