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Monkey 'stole' tourist's specs
17/07/2007 19:46 - (SA)
New Delhi - Police combed the alleys of the Hindu holy city of Varanasi in northern India on Tuesday to search for a monkey accused of stealing reading glasses from a South Korean tourist.
Kim Dang Hoon filed a formal complaint against the primate that he claims broke into his hotel room and pinched his spectacles, according to investigating officer Inspector Govind Singh.
"It is difficult to trace the monkey but I am trying my best to locate the rogue," said Singh from Varanasi, about 300km southeast of Lucknow.
Thousands of wild monkeys roam Varanasi, dotting the trees on the banks of the Ganges River and scampering through the city's many temples, where they are venerated as manifestations of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman.
In his written complaint, Kim said he opened his hotel room window for fresh air when the monkey made its move.
"He headed straight to the table where my glasses were kept and took it away," said Kim.
'We cannot shoot them'
Part of the frame later was recovered by hotel staff and Kim said he filed the report so he can make a damages claim on his travel insurance.
Problems with monkeys harassing tourists in the city were common, said Singh.
"But we can't do anything. We cannot shoot them or beat them as Hindus worship monkeys," he said.
- AP
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