Ghaziabad, June 12: A contractor, tasked to catch monkeys from here and release them in a distant forested area, stuffed them into small cages and abandoned them in a colony here to save costs, an animal rights group activist said on Tuesday.

"The Municipal Corporation of Ghaziabad awarded a contract to catch monkeys and to leave them in a far forest. But the contractor, in a bid to cut costs, brutally stuffed monkeys caught from various locations into a small cage at a place in Hindon Vihar," said Ashima Sharma, president of People For Animals (PFA). 

Sharma said that as she got the information, she rushed to the spot. 

"I found poor monkeys stuffed in a cage fighting and injuring each other and squealing in pain.

"Innocent animals were biting each other in irritation. Many of them were found in a badly-wounded condition and some died of hunger and thirst. Female monkeys with babies were crying and their babies were found in very critical condition." 

Sharma said that while she ensured the animals were shifted to a bigger cage, Municipal Commissioner Chandra Prakash Singh had agreed to send all injured animals and monkeys with babies at to the PFA Shelter for treatment. 

He had also assured to take serious action against the contractor who has done this cruel act, while the healthy monkeys are now being released and sent to Bijnor, she added.

The Municipal Commissioner meanwhile told IANS that he has directed immediate action against the contractor. 

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Davangere: Reports state that two groups engaged in stone pelting at each other during Ganesha idol immersion ceremony in Davangere on Thursday. Two police personnel were injured in the incident.

Few days ago, two groups of youth engaged in verbal altercation regarding raising of a flag for Eid Milad celebration. On account of the clashes, police had heightened security for the Ganesha procession. Despite the additional security, stones were pelted at the procession, sources stated. Inspector Gururaj and constable Raghavendra were injured in the incident. The procession continued after the police brought the situation to control. However, the stone pelting resumed once again as the procession surged forwards.

Security has been tightened up in the area and all shops have been closed down by the police. The two police personnel, who were injured in the stone pelting, are undergoing treatment at a hospital.