Odisha: 16-day-old baby stolen by monkey in Cuttack found dead in well

A 16-day-old boy was snatched by a monkey from his home in Odisha's Cuttack district on Saturday, prompting authorities to launch a massive search operation.

According to The Times of India report, the newborn was found dead on Sunday morning in a well in the backyard of the house. 

TOI reported that the 16-day-old baby was then sent for post-mortem in a nearby hospital. 

The baby was sleeping next to his mother at their home in Talabasta village when the monkey snatched him, sources in the forest department, which is involved in the rescue mission, said.

The mother saw the monkey fleeing with her baby and raised an alarm. Thereafter, the villagers reported the incident to the authorities.

Forest department and fire services personnel reached the village and launched a massive operation to trace the baby.

A forest department official engaged in the rescue operation said, "As the child has trouble crying, we cannot hear his voice. It has, therefore, become difficult for us to trace him in the forest."

He said 30 forest department personnel in three teams led by Sangram Keshari Mohanty, the ranger of the Damapada Forest Range, are combing the nearby forest along with the villagers.

Several people were injured in attacks by monkeys in the area a few days ago. Locals alleged inaction on the part of the forest department despite repeated complaints in this regard.