Simian distraction

The reading room for members of Parliament and journalists in the Parliament House premises, near its hallowed Central Hall, had an unwelcome visitor on Thursday. A monkey sneaked in and sat inside for nearly half an hour amid newspapers and magazines. The reading room staff members were too scared to drive it out and sought the help of the watch and ward department. They were, however, alert that the monkey might sneak into the Central Hall, where senior MPs were busy meeting each other and the door that opens towards the reading room was closed hurriedly. Until recently, the Parliament House had employed a langur and his caretaker to scare away monkeys. The langur was removed from service purportedly under pressure from animal rights activists.