Monkey Menace in Maihar: Villagers in Madhya Pradesh Demand Action, Submit ‘Ichha Mrityu’ Plea to President (Video)
A monkey menace in Maihar’s Bada Itma and Khara Deora villages has prompted residents to submit a memorandum seeking action and demanding 'Ichha Mrityu' if the problem continues. Villagers allege monkeys damage crops, enter homes and attack people. Collector Vidisha Mukherjee said local bodies can catch red-faced monkeys without Forest Department permission.
Villagers in Bada Itma and Khara Deora villages in Madhya Pradesh's Maihar district have submitted a memorandum addressed to the President, seeking action over a persistent monkey menace and even demanding “Ichha Mrityu” if the problem is not resolved. The villagers say hundreds of red-faced monkeys are entering homes, stealing food and belongings, damaging crops and vegetables, and attacking or biting residents.
The issue has reportedly persisted despite an earlier attempt by villagers to control the monkey population, Times of India reported. According to the villagers, they collected donations and hired a private agency from Vrindavan to capture around 156 monkeys, spending more than one lakh rupees. They now say the monkey population has increased again. Taj Mahal Monkey Attack Video: South Korean Tourist Injured, ASI Seeks Action Over Ambulance Delay.
Monkey Menace in Maihar
लाल मुंह के बंदरों से परेशान मध्य प्रदेश के मैहर ज़िले में गाँववालों राष्ट्रपति से मांगी इच्छा मृत्यु !
कलेक्टर मैहर को सौंपा ज्ञापन।
ज़िला प्रशासन बोल रहा है कोई मदद नहीं कर सकते। आप ख़ुद देख लो। pic.twitter.com/08UyQtIWwM
— काश/if Kakvi (@KashifKakvi) September 13, 2026
Monkey Population Causes Concern
The monkey menace has affected daily life in the two villages, which fall under the Ramnagar police station area of Maihar. Villagers say monkeys frequently enter houses in search of food and damage household goods. Agricultural fields and vegetable crops have also reportedly been affected.
Residents have alleged that some people have been attacked and bitten by the monkeys, adding to concerns over safety in the villages. According to the villagers, the earlier capture operation involved a private agency from Vrindavan and resulted in approximately 156 monkeys being rescued. Organisers Deploy 'Langur Mimics' to Fend Off Monkey Menace at BWF World Badminton Championships 2026 in New Delhi.
The operation was funded by the villagers themselves after they collected donations. They said the exercise cost more than one lakh rupees. However, villagers now claim that the monkey population has again increased significantly, leaving them frustrated over the lack of a lasting solution.
Following the latest developments, they submitted a memorandum addressed to the President to the Maihar Collector and demanded that authorities capture the monkeys.
Collector Clarifies Forest Department Requirement
Maihar Collector Vidisha Mukherjee has provided clarification on the procedure for capturing red-faced monkeys. According to the Collector, there is no need to obtain permission from the Forest Department to catch red-faced monkeys.
Citing a Forest Department letter dated August 28, 2025, Mukherjee said that following an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act-1972 in 2022, red-faced monkeys were excluded from the schedules of the Act.
Local Bodies Can Take Action
The clarification means that municipal bodies, local bodies and Gram Panchayats can use their own resources to take action to capture monkeys in areas where they have become a menace. This includes Bada Itma and Khara Deora, where residents have been seeking intervention over the growing monkey population.
The administration's clarification could allow local authorities to begin a fresh capture effort without waiting for separate permission from the Forest Department.
Residents of the affected villages are now hoping that the latest administrative clarification will lead to concrete action. Their earlier effort to capture the monkeys did not provide a lasting solution, according to the villagers. They are now looking to the local administration and Gram Panchayats to address the problem.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2026 05:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
