A young man named Shakil (18) has died after being bitten by a venomous snake while trying to catch snakes on the bank of the Jamuna river in Dinajpur. The snake bit him on Thursday afternoon on the bank of the Chhoto Jamuna river in the municipal town, and he died at his home at around 10pm.

Shakil was the son of Alam Hossain Sapuria of the Hathatpara area of the municipal town. His father, who also works as an ojha (traditional snakebite healer), confirmed his son's death.

Inquiries found that for about a year Shakil had helped his father catch snakes and put on snake shows in various places. On Thursday afternoon he went alone to catch snakes on the bank of the small branch of the Jamuna, when a venomous snake bit him through carelessness. Locals rescued him and took him to the Birampur Upazila Health Complex, where the doctor referred him to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital. His condition worsened, and he died at home at around 10pm.

His father Alam Hossain said Shakil was given first aid at the hospital after the bite and was then treated at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, but his condition deteriorated and he died at home that night.

Dr Fahmida Akter of the Birampur Upazila Health Complex said a young man came to the hospital with a snakebite, and after first aid he was sent to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital for better treatment.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.