india

Updated: Aug 05, 2017 19:53 IST

A bunch of cobras, which slipped into a school in Bagaha block in West Champaran district of north Bihar, following heavy rains, has kept some 800 children and their teachers out of the premises for over a week.

Such is the fear of the reptiles that teachers and students of Utkramit Madhya Vidyalya at Sripat Nagar have refused to attend school or engage classes, since the intrusion was noticed.

They believe, they can do nothing but wait, for, the Cobra is the ornament of Lord Mahadev (Shiva) who is worshipped with great devotion, during the ongoing Sawan season and His adornment cannot be harmed in any way.

Said school principal Omprakash: “The Cobras have been in the school for the past 10 days and they appeared in classrooms frequently, setting off panic among children. Now, students have refused to attend classes with them around and so have teachers. So, we have been forced to vacate the premises”.

According to his count, the snakes’ new found ‘lair’ has about eight deadly Cobras, which keep criss-crossing the rooms, adding to the fear and panic. However, they have not bitten anyone so far.

Raju Baitha, a parent of Sripat Nagar village, said “I have forbidden my children from attending school. I can’t take the risk”.

Teachers admitted they had not thought of calling in wild life experts and snake catchers as the reptiles are seen as Lord Shiva’s proteges and driving them away may bring ill omen and nobody was ready to face the wrath.of God.

“We are hopeful, that the Cobras will clear off on their own in a week’s time and then we will be able to resume classes”, the principal said.

Kundan Kumar, principal of Kanti Tola Middle School, located close by, said the Cobra was a very poisonous snake and people were not taking any risks.

Entire West Champaran is prone to flooding during the monsoon, prompting snakes, whose resting places are inundated, to look for high ground to survive. Many snake bite cases are reported during the season, especially when snakes floating in water come in contact with humans