Forest dept issues advisory after spurt in deaths due to snake bites

Bijnor: In the past two days, five people died of snake bites in Mandawar, Rehar and Kiratpur areas of Bijnor district. Due to an increase in such attacks, forest officials have now issued an advisory cautioning villagers to be more careful while going to their fields.Sub divisional forest officer, Gyan Singh, said on Saturday, “We found two King cobras from different places and released them into the forest area. Snakes frequent villages during the monsoon. Villagers should avoid sleeping on the floor and take precautions while going to their fields, especially in the dark.” As per officials, the first incident took place at Harkishanpur village on Thursday where a 22-year-old man, Rajkumar, died of snake bite. The snake had bitten his neck while he was asleep at home. On the same day, 42-year-old farmer, Komal Singh, died while he was working in his cane field. On Friday, a King cobra claimed the life of 40-year-old Sonu Kumar from Daibalgarh village under Mandawar region, on the bank of the Ganga. He died on the way to Bijnor district hospital. Hariram, 45, a local of Koharpur village, was killed by a snake attack. In another incident, a snake also attacked and killed a five-year-old girl in Hadipur village under Kiratpur police station area on Friday night. The girl vomited and fell unconscious. Harveer Dabas