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An Indian village has been terrorised by marauding troops of monkeys as residents flee the area.

An out-of-control population of over 400 monkeys have taken over homes as desperate locals fight a losing battle against the primates in a Planet of the Apes-style saga.

Around 20 families, sick of being assaulted and having their fields and homes raided by the opportunist macaques, have fled the village.

The problems started over 15 years ago when a troop of monkeys were kicked out of the neighbouring city of Hyderabad by poachers and abandoned nearby.

(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

One man determined to put up a fight is the village chief Srivarama Krishna, who said: “Initially, no one cared about it but then they started multiplying until it became too much."

Krishna won the local election in 2019 to be chief after saying he was determined to resolving monkey conflict.

He said: “Our lands are fertile and we grow vegetables and fruits, the monkeys took a liking to the fruits the farmers grow. Now they have started destroying the crops."

Many farmers have already fled and if the problem continues life in the rural village will not be sustainable.

Krishna says monkeys have become increasingly aggressive and opportunistic, stealing food out of villagers' hands and attacking women, children and elderly people.

(Image: Getty Images)

He said: “We have to keep the doors and windows bolted, they are smart enough to open the door come inside and steal the cooked food, sometimes even running away with the vessels containing food.

“People started getting attacked even when they used to return home from the shop with groceries, the monkeys would just steal the bags."

Many, around 20 families says the chief, have moved to Hyderabad after failed attempts to appeal Telangana Forest Department for help.

Only a few monkeys have been caught, it is claimed.