A tragic incident unfolded as a public official met a fatal end following an assault by a gang of monkeys at his residence.
Surinder Singh Bajwa, serving as a deputy mayor in New Delhi, India, was present on the upper floor balcony of his home when a pack of rhesus macaques invaded the area. Witnesses reported that he attempted to shoo them away but lost his footing amidst the commotion, resulting in a fatal fall. He was swiftly taken to Apollo Hospital in critical condition with severe head injuries and sadly passed away the following day.
The city of Delhi is a habitat to numerous rhesus macaques that frequently invade residences, temples, and rooftops, posing a constant danger to residents. In the aftermath of the 2007 tragedy, there was a surge in demands for action. Authorities faced mounting pressure to tackle the monkey issue decisively, with proposed solutions ranging from relocation initiatives to enhanced wildlife control measures.
In a tribute, government official Dr. Harsh Vardhan expressed, “Bajwaji was known for his exceptional dedication and honesty in serving the party, community, and the nation, particularly focusing on aiding the underprivileged and marginalized.”
Reflecting on the monkey issue, Perminder Kaur from a neighborhood near the deputy mayor’s residence in west Delhi, stated to the Irish Times, “Groups of monkeys frequently besiege our home, necessitating us to keep doors locked and stay vigilant constantly.”
The politician’s house was situated near a temple dedicated to Hanuman, the revered Hindu monkey deity, where hordes of rhesus macaques congregated daily to be fed by scores of visitors and devotees.
Before the tragic incident, local government authorities enlisted a formidable monkey named Rambo for several months to safeguard the health and urban development ministries. Rambo engaged in altercations with various monkey groups but was eventually overwhelmed after repeated confrontations.
In the subsequent years, Delhi’s judicial system grappled with how to manage the escalating macaque population, with some advocating humane capture methods and others pushing for stricter measures. Following Bajwa’s demise, Delhi mayor Arti Mehra informed The Hindu Times, “Since May this year, we have successfully captured 1,250 monkeys, with over 450 caught in the last 20 days.”
“We also plan to advertise in newspapers in Tamil Nadu and Assam as we’ve had positive experiences with monkey-catchers from these regions. There are intentions to expand the monkey-catching teams from two to twelve. Additionally, the capture rates for these animals have been increased,” Mehra added.
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