Decomposed Monkey Carcasses Found in Water Tanks at Nuh Medical College
In a shocking incident at Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College in Nuh, Haryana, three decomposed monkey carcasses were discovered inside water tanks that supply residential quarters. This alarming find has raised serious concerns about hygiene standards and administrative oversight at the institution, which serves as the only government medical college in the district.
Discovery and Immediate Response
The issue came to light after residents of EWS Blocks 1, 2, and 3 reported a strong foul smell in their water supply on Tuesday. Initially dismissed as routine contamination, a formal complaint led to an inspection, where one decomposed monkey was found in a tank. During subsequent cleaning operations on Wednesday, two more carcasses were recovered. Officials estimate the animals had died four to five days earlier, indicating that residents may have unknowingly used contaminated water for drinking, bathing, and cooking during this period.
Under the directions of Director Dr. Mukesh Kumar, immediate action was taken. The tanks were thoroughly cleaned, and instructions were issued to replace damaged units and install strong iron lids with protective mesh to prevent future occurrences. The administration has termed the incident a "serious lapse" and ordered a probe to fix accountability.
Background and Broader Implications
The college, established to strengthen public healthcare access in one of Haryana's most underserved districts, caters to local patients and nearby rural populations. However, it has faced criticism in the past over infrastructure gaps, staff shortages, and maintenance issues. The region, part of the Mewat belt, historically struggles with poor health indicators and limited healthcare infrastructure.
Residents, including contractual workers, HKRN staff, and regular employees in EWS-3, rely heavily on tank water for daily use, often filtering it through personal RO systems. Staff members have alleged that water tanks are not cleaned regularly and that the campus faces a persistent monkey menace, with animals frequently damaging tank lids and accessing stored water. The matter escalated after a video showing monkeys inside a tank circulated in staff WhatsApp groups, prompting urgent complaints to authorities.
Political Reaction and Demands for Action
Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed reacted strongly to the incident, stating, "It is very unfortunate that such an incident occurred in the drinking water tank of a medical college. For such huge negligence, strict action must be taken against those responsible." He demanded that the government constitute a high-level committee to investigate the lapse, fix accountability, and recommend concrete measures to improve facilities.
Ahmed highlighted that the college, named in honor of Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati, has faced continuous neglect since 2014, citing persistent shortages of doctors, underutilization of medical equipment, and deteriorating infrastructure. He confirmed that he has been raising these concerns for six years, including in Vidhan Sabha committee meetings, and spoke with the college director immediately after the incident, who acknowledged the lapse.
This incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and better maintenance protocols at public health institutions to ensure safe water supply and overall hygiene standards.
