MALDA, 2 JUNE: A 23-year-old youth died of a snake bite yesterday evening in Mahanandapally, English Bazaar town, after his family members brought in exorcists to deal with the problem, rather than taking the man to hospital.
Residents of Mahanandapally watched the act of "exorcising an evil spirit" by so-called experts, who failed to save the life of 23-year-old Dhanraj Thapa, alias Chhatan, from a snake bite yesterday.
When Chhotan, a worker of a steel furniture manufacturing unit, was bitten by a snake, he shouted and informed his family members. However, instead of taking him to hospital, his family called an exorcist who arrived, along with his associates, from nearby areas.
Chhotan became senseless at around 3.00 p.m yesterday. After several attempts, reciting charms and incantations, this group failed to bring the victim back to health and finally refused to continue. Ignoring local people's advice, Chhotan's family members then sought help from another exorcist in north Dinajpur district. The local councillor and chairman of the English Bazaar Municipality, Mr Narendranath Tiwari, had sent his men to stop the practice and ask Chhotan's family to bring him to hospital. “Wind up the practice soon, otherwise Nandu-da (chairman) will send the police,” said representatives of the chairman. However, they were not heeded.
Nobody informed the administration, health department or media of the situation while Chhotan was undergoing his ordeal. Eye witnesses said that the youth died late yesterday evening. Chhotan's two brothers and father Mr Bahadur Thapa, a rickshaw puller and resident of Hathat Colony in Mahanandapally, along with other family members, cremated the youth's body this morning. ; SNS
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