CUTTACK: A Monkey has wreaked havoc in Nuagada village in Athagarh block in the district.In last three days, the monkey has attacked and injured over a dozen villagers while three of them have sustained severe injuries. "Three people have sustained grievous injury on their limbs, face and stomach and have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital on Friday for treatment," said Narayan Sahoo , a villager.Irked by the simian menace, the villagers on Friday staged protest and blocked the Mundali- Sarpeswar road demanding compensation for the victims and immediate action to control the monkey."We have complained to the forest department several times about the monkey attacks but they are not taking any measures to drive away or catch the monkey," alleged Sudhakar, another villager. The irate villagers burnt tyres and blocked the road for few hours and vented out their anger by shouting slogans against the forest department.However, forest officials have claimed that since November 14, they are camping in the affected village to catch the notorious monkey. "Only one monkey is targeting the villagers and attacking them. We have been trying to catch the monkey, but the animal is very furious and even the unfavorable weather is also posing hurdle in the operation," said forest ranger(Athagarh), Goura Gopal Si.The forest ranger said that the monkey is in a very angry state and moving rapidly from the village to the jungle and vice versa due to which they are not able to tranquilize it."We also gave the monkey some sleeping pills in bananas but the drugs had no impact on the animal. Our personnel are trying their best to nab the animal," said the forest ranger.

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