Bhubaneswar, Oct. 25: The Nandankanan zoo today welcomed an inmate with a “notorious” past.

Forest officials rescued eight-year-old Ramu last Wednesday from the Remuna police station in Balasore district. The monkey was “detained” there for five years for — believe it or not — creating communal tension in the area.

“The animal would be under the scrutiny of the zoo vet before we release him into a wider enclosure. If we find him normal, he can be released into the wild after consultation with the wildlife warden. We have arranged a separate cage for him,” said Nandankanan director Ajit Patnaik.

Ramu was detained in 2001 on the “charge” of attacking and injuring some children. The incident attained communal overtones because the children were Hindus and Ramu’s owner was from a minority community. Tension ran high and some villagers lodged a complaint with the police against the simian, forcing them to take action.

The monkey was kept in a cage behind the police station. The policemen took turns to look after Ramu and spent around Rs 20 each daily to get his food, which mainly comprised chuda (a rice preparation), fruits and nuts. The monkey was also allowed to take food from visitors at the police station.

The policemen were reluctant to let Ramu go as they claimed to have developed an “emotional bond” with him.

Remuna police said they released the monkey twice but were forced to put him back in the cage as he continued to attack people.

The matter came to light after the media reported it last week and the government ordered an inquiry into the monkey’s detention.

Forest and wildlife officials swung into action after the government intervention and visited the police station with a specially-designed cage for Ramu.

The officials, however, could not decide whether to release the monkey as they feared it would attack human beings. Initially they thought of taking Ramu to the nearby Kuldiha forest but the apprehension that he would return to Remuna and start targeting people forced them to change their mind. It was decided that the monkey would be taken to the Nandankanan zoo.