PATNA (India) July 21: Almost a year after residents in the Indian capital were terrorised by the alleged attacks of an elusive monkey-like creature, the eastern city of Patna says it too is facing similar attacks from an ape-like animal.

Local newspapers here are full of reports of “mysterious monkey attacks” but police have scotched the stories and warned of strict action against those spreading rumours.

“There are rumours of a monkey-like machine, referred to as monkey-man that attacks those sleeping on rooftops and in open places at night,” O N Bhaskar, Patna’s police chief said.

“But it is a pure rumour as no one has actually lodged a case in any police station. There has not been any recognized case of injury. We have warned the public at large to be on guard against any rumour and help cops arrest those who spread such rumours.”

Residents of Patna however were not reassured, with local newspapers headlining quotes from eyewitnesses and victims of the “monkey man.”

“The monkey-man attacked and injured my son-in-law Joginder Singh Friday night when he was sleeping on the rooftop of my house,” a newspaper quoted Bhagwat Sharan Singh of Patna’s Mainpura colony as saying.

“He (the attacker) looked like a monkey.”

Some even alleged the creature “jumps and sparkles red and blue lights.”

Others described it as resembling a machine, operated by a remote control and “handled by anti-social elements to terrorise people.”—AFP