Woman Dies of snake bite in Sonari, Villagers drift body in Teok River

Sonari: Well, this might sound shocking, but, there is a section of superstitious people in the state where people gives more preference to old customs and rituals rather than modern method science and technology. In a shocking incident at Barahi Grant located near Sonari under Charaideo District, a body of a married woman who died of snakebite three days back was put on a raft made of a banana tree and was sailed on the Teok River today.

The deceased lady was identified as Shima Das.

Speaking to the media, husband of the deceased woman, Bishu Das said, “I was out for my work when one of my friends informed that my wife was bitten by a poisonous snake. I immediately came to my home and took her to one of the local Vaidya (herbal doctor) or herbalists. Though, she was treated well and was recovering well, the poison of the venomous snake got her totally, thus, taking her life away.”

On being asked about of taking the woman to a hospital, the husband informed that they didn’t take her to any doctor or in any hospital, but rather preferred to take her to local herbalists for treatment.

It is to be noted that the family members of the deceased performing several rituals since the day of the incident to treat her naturally.

However, she died later and the family thought that if her body is set free on the river then some person may see it and revive her back.

It may be mentioned here that incident like this is not new in Assam or in India and similar incidents have been reported in the past as well.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Sentinel Digital, Jayaditya Purkayastha, secretary, Help Earth Organisation, said, “Snake bite is still a part of enigma in the people living inside the rural sectors of Assam, it’s a big problem. I believe all the Public Health Centre (PHC) and Aganwadi centres should take lead and should aware people about the side effects of snake bite. Apart from teaching about pregnancy, tuberculosis, etc. They should also deal with snake bite; they should also make people aware of snake bite. I will more than happy to help them if given a chance. People should be made aware that Anti- Venom and medical science is the only way to restrain snake bites.”

Jayaditya Purkayastha also informed that Help Earth had already taken initiative and took up the matter to the Department of Health, Government of Assam; however, there was no such response from their end.

He further urged the Health Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma to sent one nodal doctor from each and every district of Assam to whom Help Earth is going to train them about snake bite voluntarily.

Also Read: Anti-snake Venom injected for the first time into a patient at Demow Community Health Centre