In a bizarre incident, a man allegedly caught and bit a cobra after accidentally stepping on the snake at Karmapada village under Laikera police station in Jharsuguda district on Sunday night.
The man, identified as Dharam Singh Khadia, was later taken to a community health centre in neighbouring Sambalpur district, where doctors said his condition was stable.
According to Khadia, he was on his way to a field when he accidentally stepped on the cobra, which was lying on the road. As the snake raised its head, he caught hold of it and bit it before throwing it away.
“I was on my way to a field when I accidentally stepped on a cobra lying on the road. When the snake raised its head, I caught hold of it. Someone had once told me that if you see a snake, hold it, bite it and throw it away, and the poison will not spread. The snake did not bite me. I just bit it and threw it away. This was a cobra,” Khadia said.
Following the incident, Khadia became frightened and informed his family members. They rushed him to the Govindpur Community Health Centre (CHC) in Sambalpur district for treatment.
After providing preliminary treatment, doctors said Khadia’s condition was stable and advised him to remain at the hospital for 24 hours under observation.
The unusual incident left local residents shocked, with many gathering at the spot after learning about the incident.