Chhendipada: In yet another incident of superstition, a minor boy who was bitten by a snake at Sana Kusakila village under Jarpara police limits in Angul district, died after his family members performed puja instead of admitting him to a hospital.
The deceased was identified as Sipun Palei (16).
According to reports, Sipun was staying at his maternal uncle’s house and studying there. He was sleeping Friday night when the snake which had slithered into the house bit him. When he came to know that he has been bitten by the snake, he informed his uncle. However, instead of taking him to hospital, his uncle and other family members recited mantras to heal Sipun.
Though, Sipun showed no signs of improvement, he was admitted to Chhendipada community health centre (CHC) Saturday morning, where doctors declared him dead.
Even as the government and several NGOs were carrying out awareness campaigns against blind beliefs, people in tribal-dominated areas across Odisha, especially of Chhendipada have always been in news for their superstitious practices.