It's hard to get your head around the scope of what the problem is if you have never seen it. This problem exists in many parts of India. Essentially, nobody is willing to kill a monkey, and there are too many to round up and move, at the required rate. Depending on time of day and location, you might come across groups of them, or see a single one or two lounging around. It is very rare that they attack anyone.

Why is nobody willing to kill a monkey? Is it against the law? I find it hard to believe that there aren't any Indian gun owners who wouldn't be interested in a little target practice...

There is a Hindu deity that is in the form of a monkey, Hanuman.

So, basically, because the world's oldest extant religion values a monkey!

Similarly, you might see cattle roaming the countryside and, sometimes, a city street. They too are sacred.

What is gun control like in India? Are there any laws protecting sacred animals?

This might help answer that question:

http://www.abhijeetsingh.com/arms/india/

This might help answer that question:

http://www.abhijeetsingh.com/arms/india/

The other question... the only laws on sacred animals I can find seem to be reserved for the cow. Moo Moo, buckaroo!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_cow

Thanks for the info, Dude.