Man Dies After Snake Bite; Locals Burn Snake on Funeral Pyre in Chhattisgarh

KORBA, India — A bizarre and tragic incident occurred in Korba district, Chhattisgarh, where locals placed a venomous snake on the funeral pyre of a man who had died after being bitten.

The victim, identified as Digheshwar, was bitten by the snake while he was arranging bedding at his home in Baigamar village on Saturday night. His family rushed him to the Korba government hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.

In a move reflecting deep-seated fears about snake bites, local residents captured the snake and decided to place it on Digheshwar's funeral pyre, citing concerns that the creature could harm others. Videos circulating on social media showed individuals using ropes to drag the snake before it was ultimately tied up and burned along with the body.

Officials stated that the deceased's body was handed over to the family after an autopsy was completed. The local district collector emphasized the need for better awareness regarding snakes and their bites to prevent such incidents in the future.

Villagers expressed that their actions were taken out of fear for public safety, as they believed the snake posed a potential threat to others in the community.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in rural areas, where education and resources for snakebite treatment are often lacking.