Monkey snatches newborn from parents

Cuttack: Panic gripped locals after a monkey snatched a newborn boy from his parents who were sleeping inside their house at Talabasta village in Banki block of Cuttack district on Saturday

Sources said, the 16-day-old child was lifted by a monkey while he was sleeping with his parents on a cot. The incident occurred in the wee hours today.

Meanwhile, fire services personnel have launched a massive rescue operation to trace the child.

Resentment is brewing among the local residents as they alleged that there has been a sharp rise in the instances of monkey attacks in the area. Earlier, several women were also injured in monkey attacks in the past couple of weeks.

"It is really unfortunate that the monkey menace has assumed serious proportions in the region. But despite repeated complaints, no step has been taken by forest officials," said a local resident.

Later an FIR was lodged by family members of the baby at Talabasta Police Station.

Till last report came in, rescue operation launched by Fire Services personnel was underway.