(IN): Snake panic in Malda College

September 6, 2007

Snake panic in Malda College

OUR CORRESPONDENT

**

*Malda, Sept. 5: *Panic gripped the Malda College campus after a spectacled

7ft long cobra was spotted in the botany department today. The snake was

beaten to death immediately.

But college authorities have closed down the botany department for an

indefinite period till its campus is freed of snakes by the forest

department.

Sanatan Mondal, a department employee, went to bring water for a practical

class when he spotted the cobra. It was advancing towards him with its hood

expanded. Mondal raised an alarm.

The principal of the college, Aniruddha Sengupta, also arrived at the spot.

Carbolic acid was brought from the chemistry department and sprinkled around

the snake. Then a security guard of the institution beat the snake to death.

According to the head of the department, Phalguni Bhattacharya, the cobra

was of endangered species. Its poison is very costly. It should not have

been killed. It is really unfortunate.

The college principal said: " Even though the snake was killed, it will be

preserved for laboratory work. "

Sengupta said they would not take any risk. " There may be more snakes in the

vicinity of the botany department. The forest department has been asked to

catch them. Besides, a snake charmer has been called for. "

According to the principal, snakes have been spotted in the botany and

zoology departments four times in the recent past.

The college employees alleged that mushrooming of weeds around a herbal

garden of the botany department was the reason behind snakes taking shelter

there.

The divisional forest officer, Rajendra Zakhar, said The snake should not

have been killed. The college authorities could have informed them. He said

he would send employees from his department to catch the remaining snakes on

the college campus.

--

Fight captive Jumbo abuse, end Elephant Polo

Recommended Posts