Python Rescued From Grips Of 'Faithful Devotees'
Reptile to be released at safer habitat
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2012: A captured Indian Rock Python, which was worshiped under the belief that it is reappearance of a local deity by villagers of Kumbi in Bishnupur district, was rescued by members of People for Animal (PFA), Thoubal today afternoon.

Stretching 8 feet, the rare reptile species which is listed under Scheduled-1 (most endangered animals in the country) under the Protection of Wildlife Act, 1972 was captured from a paddy field at Kumbi Setupur by the villagers on Saturday.

Minutes after the young python was kept at the house of the owner of the paddy field, hundreds of people thronged the reptile enclosure and offered money, fruits and flowers under the belief that it is the reappearance of a local deity.

"The gathering grew bigger after the local deity priests offered rituals.

Manipur forest officials had to face a hard time to approach the villagers to rescue the python," said Lourembam Biswajit, managing trustee of PFA, Thoubal .

The python rescued from devotees

"After seeking advice from the forest officials, we along with a strong team of police including commandos from Kumbi police station moved there today.

The villagers and the priests strongly objected in handing the python initially terming the rare reptile as a deity," he said.

After giving a brief lecture on the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 including the related penalties, the villagers, later released the python after observing their final rituals.

"While some chanted rituals in the name of the 'deity', others in groups wept near the big snake and amid the tearful scene, we took the python and rushed it to Manipur veterinary hospital at Imphal for checking its health status," Bishwajit said.

On being informed about the incident, PFA chairman Menaka Gandhi informed the PFA, Thoubal to take all necessary measures to rescue the python and release it at a safe place, Biswajit added.

"We will observe the python at our enclosure in Thoubal for a couple of days and release it at a safer jungle after consulting with forest officials," he added.

In April 2010 villagers of Lamlai in Imphal East caught a rare King Cobra stretching 9.5 feet from a house and handed it to Manipur zoo authorities.