Old Karimnagar Collectorate turns simians’ haven

​Karimnagar: Monkeys have virtually taken control of the rooms in the erstwhile Collectorate here! With the building empty, they are having a field day and seem to be enjoying their new found freedom.

The simians are found all over the floor where the Collector's chambers were located. Earlier, they could not enter the premises and confined themselves to the trees outside the office complex. Not only simians, even scorpions are found moving in several sections and verandas of the old Collectorate building.

• Building fell vacant after district divided into 4

No doubt the monkeys got a place to enjoy and rest. But certainly there is no food for them without staff and people around. As a result of starvation several monkeys have died, while many others became skinny. A few people living in the surrounding areas are providing food for the monkeys.

Till the other day the Collector's office was busy with the staff at work and people swarming into the building to get their grievances redressed. The otherwise busy centre for official activities has now become empty and silent as Karimnagar district was split into four parts following the districts reorganisation.

When the forest department staff was informed about the monkey menace they reportedly expressed helplessness, unable to tackle the issue citing lack of adequate hands. A man called Rammohan, who visited the District Education Office, told The Hans India that he can't stand on the office premises because of the threat posed by the monkeys.

‘They snatch whatever I hold in my hands and follow me wherever I go’. He appealed to the Forest department to take action to put a stop to the monkey menace. A staffer said monkeys never entered the office premises earlier as it was always busy with staff and public. ‘Now with the building empty we can't catch them and prevent their free movement,’ he added.

By Ch Gopalakrishna