A snake charmer lost his life to a snakebite while trying to catch a snake, and another snake charmer then chewed up and ate the same snake. The incident took place in Ballabher Khas union of Nageshwari upazila, Kurigram.

It happened on the morning of Wednesday, 30 July, at the home of Imran Ali in Kapalipara of Kaliganj union.

Locals said snake charmer Boyej Uddin of Daktar Para in Ballabher Khas union went to catch a snake at the home of Imran Ali in Kapalipara, in neighbouring Kaliganj union. A king cobra had made its nest in a rat hole in the kitchen of Imran Ali's house, with 15-16 young. After digging out the hole and catching the young, Boyej Uddin caught the big snake, but it bit him on the hand before he could put it in the sack.

At first the venom seemed to have no effect, but after returning home he grew weak from poisoning. He was rushed to Bhurungamari Health Complex, where a doctor declared him dead. After his body was brought home, several ojhas (traditional healers) and snake charmers came one after another, and they too said he was dead.

An ojha named Mojahar took the big snake along with its young. Later that afternoon he came to the local Gabtala Bazar and chewed up the big snake, as a crowd gathered to watch.

Mojahar lives in the Baldia Bazar area of Baldia union in Bhurungamari upazila. He is known locally as "the snake eater". He catches snakes and treats snakebite patients.

Mojahar said he killed the big snake and ate its blood and flesh, and that eating snakes is an old habit of his. He said he would keep the young snakes.

S M Abu Sayem, family planning officer at Bhurungamari Upazila Health Complex, said charms and incantations should have no effect on a snakebite, and that victims must be brought to hospital immediately. "We have antivenom in stock," he said, urging people to be more aware.

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