Farmer sets fire to palm tree over monkeys in Jagtial, killing four

What Happened

A farmer in Jagtial district's Mallapur mandal set fire to a palmyra tree after noticing monkeys climbing it, causing the deaths of four animals in the flames. The incident took place in the outskirts of Chittapur village, where the local farmer kept dogs on guard at the base of the tree before setting it ablaze. While some monkeys managed to run away, four others got trapped in the smoke and fire and died. Villagers rescued another monkey and shifted it to a hospital in Karimnagar for treatment.

Reaction

Locals and Bajrang Dal workers are expressing strong anger over the killing of the mute animals. They pointed out that the accused person does not even have any agricultural lands in that area. Protesting residents are demanding strict legal action against the man responsible for the act.

Context

Human-wildlife conflicts involving monkeys have become common in rural areas as expanding human settlements disrupt natural forest habitats. Local communities often struggle to protect crops and residential spaces from foraging wildlife. Such illegal methods used to drive away animals frequently result in severe injury or death to wildlife.