THE HINDU (Chennai, India) 08 July 06 Orissa villagers demand 'arrest' of snake
Kendrapara (PTI): Police in Orissa's Kendrapara District encountered an unusual problem when residents of a village insisted that a case be registered against a snake.
The unconventional public demand came after the reptile caused the death of a 52-year-old man in Barklikhola village early morning on Friday.
Nishikanta Giri died minutes after being bitten by the snake.
After catching the snake and putting it in a cage, the agitated villagers brought it to Ramnagar police outpost and insisted that a case be registered against the reptile.
Perplexed by the demand, the police tried to convince the villagers that action could not be initiated against a snake under the Indian Penal Code. But the crowd refused to accept the police argument.
Finally, police took the snake into "custody" to ensure that the villagers dispersed.
"We are planning to hand over the reptile to authorities at the Bhitarkanika National Park," a police official said.
Orissa villagers demand 'arrest' of snake