The community of palaentoarchaeologists in the country has stumbled upon what is being described as the "most exciting discovery of this century".

The Honorary Assistant Janitor of the Association of Palaentoarchaeologists and Excavators, Mr Holi Kaw pointed out this was possibly the most important event in the history of science in India and ranked amongst the world's most significant discoveries since finding that the coelacanth still existed though long believed to have been extinct.

According to leading scientists throughout the country, there is no record of a sighting of the creature in recent memory though genetically mutated descendants belonging to the same species flourish in abundance in India.

In the throes of excitement that led to a frenzy of stabbing at passers-by with forks, Mr Kaw said that this was the crowning achievement for the APE: "Better than a dinosaur", he beamed.

However, it is also reliably learnt that the Government is unwilling to make the discovery public since more the final DNA tests have been conducted to verify the existence of the rejuvenated species.

According to the APE, an official from the Prime Minister's Office has been in constant communication with the Association. In a directive faxed to the APE office, the official said, "In the interest of national security and sanity, this discovery should be kept under wraps for the time being. It has the potential of undermining our great system and nation and everything that we believe in as Indians."

It was also stated that the APE has been asked to present its findings before Parliament when it next functions. The existence of the creature is only to be officially acknowledged if both Houses of Parliament pass the pertinent Bill with an absolute majority. However, this firman has also upset the APE members since waiting for Parliament to start functioning again before any concrete measures can be taken to conserve the rediscovered species could result in it going extinct again for lack of urgent action.

Giving details of how the create was found, Mr Kaw said that this happened accidentally while municipal bulldozers in the small town of Phoda in Bihar had demolished an illegal structure, though it was later realised that the demolished structure was in reality a school building while the actual target was left untouched.

"The importance of that event was first brought to the notice of our scientists when newspapers reported the sudden emergence of this unusual creature which had so upset the local administration and even the State Government because of its extremely weird behaviour, that it had been jailed on a trumped up charge," the latest edition of the APE bulletin said.

APE's experts were subsequently rushed to the area where they were profoundly astounded by the magnitude of their discovery.

However, there is a great degree of pessimism within the scientific community over the chances of survival of the creature. As Mr Kaw said, "We are uncertain whether it will be able to survive for even a week in the present environment. It will also be preyed upon by predators and it is simply not equipped to ward off such threats. As it is, it is near fossilised."

While the APE members were not willing to divulge the name of the creature, it is reliably learnt that it is the fabled Politicus Honestus more commonly known as the Honest Politician.