Monkey menace, a poll issue in Himachal Pradesh

Kangra, May 4 (ANI): Monkey menace has become a major poll issue for the farmers in Himachal Pradesh.

The increasing intrusion of monkeys into agricultural land is causing loss to the farmers of the Kangra district.

The monkeys have become a threat to crops, which forced farmers to leave their fields in search of new place, safe from monkeys.

The farmers are hopeful that the elected representative will rescue from the menace of the monkey attacks.

The farmers said that they would vote for the candidate who assures them of getting rid of the monkeys.

"We face a lot of problems from monkeys. It has become a big threat. No government listens to our pleas, but during elections they approach us with false promises. They have done nothing to solve the problems," said Ravan, a voter.

Meanwhile, the opposition party blamed the ruling government for not taking any action inspite of highlighting in their manifestos.

"This is one of the manifesto items that they should try and settle the issue especially the cows and monkeys, " said Vidya Stokes, leader of Himachal Pradesh opposition party.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promised that it would solve the problems of monkeys in the next five years.

"We have given the permission to kill the monkeys. People are not ready as religious sentiment is attached with monkeys.

There is center of operation in Shimla, Hamirpur and we are going to start at Palampur district. We are hopeful in the next four years, the problems will be solved by sterilizing the monkeys," said Prem Kumar Dhumal, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister. By Hemant Chauhan (ANI)