Neither ambulances nor motorbikes are moving in the hospital premises. Looking glasses are breaking within moments. Even the looking glasses of doctors' cars are being broken. For the past four to five days, the Chandrakona Rural Hospital authorities have been genuinely worried about this. But who is committing these acts? Not thieves or miscreants – this is the handiwork of a troop of langurs. Hospital authorities have reported that for the past four to five days, this troop of langurs has been roaming around the hospital premises. They are creating mayhem in the hospital compound – such are the complaints from vehicle drivers. Patients are also in panic.
Also Read | 75-year-old dies by suicide, family alleges stress linked to SIR hearing notice
According to local sources, Chandrakona Rural Hospital is located in the Lalsagar area of Ward No. 11 of Chandrakona Municipality. A group of langurs has arrived there and is creating havoc. Everyone is fed up with their mischief. Right in front of the hospital's emergency department, there are several small and large trees. The hospital's vehicle parking area is located there. Ambulances, doctors' cars, health workers' motorbikes, scooters – everything is parked there. According to hospital sources, about 10 ambulances are stationed there. Vehicle drivers have reported that they have been afraid to park their vehicles there for the past few days. The troop of langurs is breaking and smashing the looking glasses of cars. As soon as they see a vehicle, they pounce on the looking glasses. They break and tear them off before leaving the spot.
Regarding this, ambulance owners Ashok Ghosh and Sukumar Bauri say, "A car has a pair of looking glasses. The price of one pair is 500 rupees. If the langurs break the looking glasses every day, where do we get so much money from?" According to ambulance driver Sona Ghoraiya, "The cars are parked here. We're even afraid to rest a little inside the vehicle. And in winter, we can't sit inside with the car windows down. If we install new glass, the next day we find that has also been broken. Is it possible to install new looking glasses every day like this?" The langur troop is not only vandalizing ambulance looking glasses – they are also breaking the looking glasses of doctors' cars.
Hospital BMOH Swapnanil Mistri says, "For several days, a troop of langurs has been creating havoc in the parking lot. They are vandalizing ambulance looking glasses. Vehicle owners have also informed us about their losses. But since there are baby langurs in the troop, they cannot be forcibly removed from here due to the risk involved. The forest department has been informed initially." Ghatal Wildlife Rescuer Malay Ghosh says, "Langurs behave aggressively when they see mirrors. When they see their reflection in front of a mirror, they think some companion has been trapped there. This behavior is not limited to looking glasses only. They will do the same thing if they see their reflection in window glass."
Also Read | Despite registration, where will totos run? Drivers remain confused over permitted routes
Many people are covering their looking glasses with plastic packets to protect their cars from the langurs' rampage. Some have made cloth covers. Meanwhile, patients' relatives are also in panic, saying they are afraid to go to the parking lot looking for ambulances. Patients' relatives are also worried about what would happen if langurs enter inside the hospital.
