Khowai, Dec 22: A surprising situation has emerged in Khowai, where monkey meat was reportedly being sold at high prices under the guise of deer meat.

It was learnt that in remote areas like Tulashikhar, Belcherra, Bogabil, Ampura, Behala Badi and Ratanpur, some locals have been selling monkey meat as deer meat for prices ranging from Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 per kg. This has caused widespread concern, with people fearing they may have unknowingly consumed monkey meat instead of deer meat.

While the forest department has not received any official reports of such incidents, a forest official clarified that deer and monkey meat may appear similar in color, but there are distinct differences in taste. A simple test to differentiate between the two is to place meat pieces in separate containers of water, the official said, adding that the meat that sinks is deer meat, while the one that floats is monkey meat.

The official also mentioned that deer are now rare and harder to find.