GURGAON: Three decomposed monkey carcasses were found inside water tanks supplying residential quarters, raising alarming concerns over hygiene and administrative oversight in Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College in Nuh. The incident came to light after residents of EWS Blocks 1, 2 and 3 reported a strong foul smell in the water on Tuesday, initially dismissing it as routine contamination. However, a formal complaint led to an inspection, during which one decomposed monkey was found in a tank. Two more carcasses were recovered during cleaning operations on Wednesday. Officials estimate the animals had died four to five days earlier, meaning residents may have unknowingly used contaminated water for drinking, bathing and cooking during this period. The issue is particularly concerning in EWS-3, which houses contractual workers, HKRN staff and some regular employees. While drinking water is largely sourced from designated coolers, many residents rely on tank water for daily use or filter 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. Following intervention by the estate in-charge and engineers, immediate action was initiated. Under the directions of Director Dr Mukesh Kumar, the tanks were cleaned, and instructions were issued to replace damaged units and install strong iron lids and protective mesh to prevent recurrence. Terming the incident a “serious lapse,” the administration has ordered a probe to fix accountability.The college is the only government medical college in Nuh district, a region already grappling with limited healthcare infrastructure and historically poor health indicators in the Mewat belt. Established to strengthen public healthcare access in one of Haryana’s most underserved districts, the institution caters not only to local patients but also to nearby rural populations.In the past, the college has faced criticism over infrastructure gaps, staff shortages and maintenance issues, though efforts have been made by the state government to upgrade facilities in recent years.Reacting to the discovery of contamination in the drinking water tanks at Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed said, “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 also demanded that the government constitute a high-level committee to investigate the incident. He stressed that the panel must not only probe how such a serious lapse occurred in a major public health institution, but also fix accountability and recommend strict action against those found guilty, along with concrete measures to improve facilities for public relief. Highlighting the historical importance of the institution as a flagship project envisioned to address the lack of healthcare in the region, and named in honour of Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati, Ahmed alleged that the college has been facing continuous neglect since 2014. He cited persistent shortages of doctors, underutilisation of medical equipment, and deteriorating infrastructure. He added that he has been consistently raising these concerns for the past six years, including in Vidhan Sabha committee meetings, and confirmed that he immediately spoke with the college director after the incident, who acknowledged the lapse—underscoring the urgent need for systemic reforms alongside the inquiry.
