The elusive creature which until Sunday was the subject of one of India's most bizarre manhunts in decades was now reported to be active in Rajasthan's sparsely-populated Nagaur district, television networks and the Press Trust of India (PTI) said.
Star TV quoted Nagaur residents complaining of similar attacks by a shadowy creature similar to the one reportedly stalking the streets of New Delhi. However district authorities have rejected the sightings as rubbish.
"There is no truth in the speculation that the monkey man of Delhi has reached Nagaur," district administrator Niranjan Arya told PTI, adding that a wild cat roaming the deserts appeared to spreading panic in the region.
"The animal by nature is shy and remains in desert forests. It strayed into villages and three or four villagers who tried to catch it received minor scratches as the animal fled to the forest," Arya said.
He said efforts were on to find the feline creature in a bid to prevent the panic, which caused the deaths of two residents and injuries to 60 people from May 12, spreading from the Indian capital.
Wildlife experts identified the species to which the rogue cat belonged but said the creature was dangerous only when attacked.
The Delhi police has said rumours of attacks by the "monkey man" were deliberately encouraged by a section of the people who planned to settle personal scores and blame them on what people said half-man and half-monkey.
Many residents and some police officials also believe that the "monkey man" is a pure figment of imagination.
'Monkey Man' Now Sighted In Northern India
New Delhi - A mysterious "monkey man" which triggered a wave of panic in the national capital earlier this month has now been sighted in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, reports here said on Tuesday.
[Original headline: Panic as 'monkey man' packs bags, heads north]
Sapa-AFP + Hindustan Times - May 22 2001