Arrest that monkey !

POLICE in northern India have combed the alleyways of an Hindu holy city in search of a monkey accused of stealing reading glasses from a tourist.

South Korean tourist Kim Dang Hoon filed a formal complaint against the primate that he claims broke into his hotel room in Varanasi and pinched his spectacles.

Inspector Govind Singh said: “It is difficult to trace the monkey but I am trying my best to locate the rogue."

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 his move.

“He headed straight to the table where my glasses were kept and took it away.”

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.

Singh said he would be at a loss if his officers caught the culprit because there are no laws under which a wild monkey can be charged.

Problems with monkeys harassing tourists in the city were common, Mr Singh said.

“But we can’t do anything. We cannot shoot them or beat them as Hindus worship monkeys,” he said.