NDRF constable catches snake, averts stampede during Chhath

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) averted a major tragedy on the occasion of Chhath at the famous Konhara Ghat near Hajipur in Vaishali district of Bihar, after its personnel caught a snake that ventured into a crowd of thousands of devotees present there, a senior NDRF official said today.
NDRF 9th battalion Commandant Vijay Sinha told PTI that the snake suddenly appeared when thousands of devotees were coming out of the ghat after offering the 'Sandhya Arghya' or evening oblations to the Sun yesterday.
"People started running helter-skelter and a stampede was imminent, when NDRF responded immediately. One of our constables with commando training deputed on the ghat rushed towards the snake and caught it with his hands. Simultaneous announcements were made asking the people not to run under fear," Sinha said.

The Commandant claimed that a major tragedy in which several people could have lost their lives, has been averted and the constable who caught the snake would be recommended for the prestigious award given for good work by NDRF Director General (DG).
NDRF Deputy Commandant Rakesh Ranjan, who was in charge of NDRF team posted in Vaishali district said the fearless NDRF jawan has been identified as Ashish Mali, a resident of West Bengal.
"Quick action by Mali saved the day for us. The ghat is the biggest one of Hajipur and any untoward incident would have marred the festive spirit. Mali released the snake at a safe distance and it slithered away. NDRF doesn't believe in killing snakes," Ranjan said.

NDRF officials said that their teams saved five people including a child from drowning in Patna and Nalanda districts during the festival.

However, nine persons drowned in different incidents in various parts of the state during the Chhath celebrations.
Bihar Disaster Management Department (DMD) Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Vipin Kumar Rai said two persons drowned at Sonepur in Saran district, while one death each has been reported from Buxar, Patna, Samastipur, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Vaishali and Madhepura districts.
"All these deaths were accidents. However, we tried our best and the biggest festival of the state passed off smoothly, without any untoward incident. NDRF handled the snake situation at Konhara Ghat really nicely and averted a stampede," Rai said.