Superstition claims 2 lives in Keonjhar: Woman, her daughter die after snakebite

Two lives were lost in Odisha's Keonjhar district in an incident that highlights the deadly consequences of superstition. A woman and her daughter were bitten by a snake, but instead of seeking immediate medical help, the family relied on a local sorcerer, a delay that proved fatal. The incident occurred on Sunday at Barbil village under Patna police station.

According to reports, Phulamani Naik of Kashipur village under Turumunga police station had gone to her daughter Jatri Naik’s house last Friday. On Friday night, while both were sleeping on the verandah, a snake bit them. Realising the bite, the victims themselves alerted the family. However, instead of rushing them to a hospital, the family took them to a local quack, hoping for a traditional remedy.

Jatri Naik’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and she was eventually taken to Thakurmunda Hospital, where she succumbed to the snakebite. Later, Phulamani Naik returned to her home in Kashipur, but while being taken to a medical facility in Keonjhar, she also passed away. Both deaths could likely have been prevented with timely medical attention, as sources said.

Suspected Cause

Reports suggest that incessant rainfall in the region has forced snakes like the common krait out of their nests in search of warmer places. Continuous rains in recent days are believed to have brought the snake into contact with the mother-daughter duo.

A Deadly Lesson on Superstition

This tragedy underlines the dangers of superstition and reliance on traditional remedies for life-threatening emergencies. Medical experts emphasise that snakebite victims must be taken to a hospital immediately, as any delay can be fatal. In this case, belief in a sorcerer cost two lives that could have been saved.