Mysterious 'man-monkey' strikes Delhi

The creatures attack and scratch their victims

Residents of the Indian capital, Delhi, are reported to be panicking after a series of attacks by mysterious creatures, described as "man-monkeys".

At least one person is said to have died and 35 others have been injured in attacks in recent days or while attempting to flee in panic.

Shoot-on-sight orders have been issued to stop these monkey creatures

Police spokesman

Police in one Delhi suburb say they have ordered officers to "shoot on sight" to halt the ape-like menace.

Indian newspaper reports described the creature as "short, dark and hairy, with human legs and an ape-like face".

It apparently scratched and attacked people sleeping on the roofs of their homes, during the scorching summer months.

According to the Press Trust of India, Delhi police received 29 "distress calls" from the east and north-east parts of the capital on Monday night.

Mystery

One person in the eastern district of Noida died when he jumped from the roof of his house in an attempt to save himself from attack.

Even the young are not spared

In another district, a pregnant woman fell down a flight of steps in fright, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported.

Police are now said to be preparing identification kits of the creatures which allegedly jump down from tall buildings and "sprint long distances in seconds".

"It is indeed intriguing how a human-being can jump down from multi-storey buildings and cover long distances within such a short space of time," joint commissioner of police, Suresh Roy, said.

Zoo officials have also been contacted to help the police investigate the attacks and patrols have been stepped up in areas where the "man-monkeys" are said to be operating.