Khotang, February 20 Diktel Majhuwagadi Municipality in Khotang has started a campaign to catch monkeys. As many as 25 monkeys were caught yesterday. A special team of professionals were called from Uttar Pradesh, India, to catch the monkeys. The team consists of nine members. Monkey Control and Management Committee treasurer Manoj Rai said the monkeys were brought under control by setting traps at two places. He said two more traps would be set up to catch more monkeys. Ward Chairman Nirmal Rai said the monkeys brought under control had been kept in an iron cage. The municipality decided to launch the drive after monkeys strayed into human settlements from nearby forests and troubled locals. The monkeys destroyed seasonal crops in the municipality. Monkey menace had badly affected the everyday work of the people in the municipality. “Someone or the other must stay at home. Monkeys create havoc if we leave our houses unattended,” said a local.  The municipality has spent Rs 10 lakh on the campaign. Monkey Control and Management Committee Chairman Durga Prasad Ghimire said as many as 250 monkeys would be caught by mid-June. He said the professionals brought from India to catch monkeys would be given Rs 2,000 for every monkey they caught.