Balangir: A snake helpline volunteer died after being bitten on the tongue by a cobra during a public demonstration of his snake-handling skills in Odisha’s Balangir district.

The deceased has been identified as Santosh Chanda, a resident of Sahupada in Sindhekela village. ADVERTISEMENT

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening after he rescued a cobra from a villager’s house and took it to the village square, where he began to ‘perform’ with the snake. During the act, the cobra bit him on the tongue and he collapsed. Chanda succumbed shortly after being admitted to a hospital at Bhawanipatna.

The pall of gloom descended on the village following the incident as Santosh was admired for his courage and voluntary service. .

See Full Page