Chhattisgarh: Local Man Dies from Snake Bite; Residents Burn Reptile on Funeral Pyre

After a 22-year-old man died from a snake bite in Chhattisgarh, locals burned the reptile on his funeral pyre, fearing it could harm others. Digeshwar Rathiya was bitten at home and died despite medical intervention. Villagers captured the snake and set it ablaze during the funeral, prompting officials to call for better education on snakebite management and the ecological role of snakes.

In a tragic incident in Chhattisgarh's Korba district, a 22-year-old man named Digeshwar Rathiya died after being bitten by a venomous common krait. Following his death, local residents took the unusual step of burning the snake on Rathiya's funeral pyre, fearing it could pose a threat to others.

Rathiya was bitten while preparing his bed at home in Baigamar village on Saturday night. Despite immediate medical attention and being rushed to a government hospital in Korba, he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.

Concerned about the potential danger the snake posed, villagers captured it, tied it with a rope, and brought it along during Rathiya's funeral procession. A video circulating on social media shows the snake being dragged to the cremation site, where it was subsequently set on fire.

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Korba's Sub-Divisional Officer, Ashish Khelwar, stated that no action would be taken against the villagers, but he emphasized the need for public education on snakes and effective snakebite management, highlighting the ecological importance of these reptiles.