A 27-year-old man who worked as a security guard in New Town died of a suspected snake bite on Monday, police said.
Sourav Naskar was playing football with neighbours on Sunday and went into a pond in Akandakishori, near Technocity police station, bordering New Town’s Action Area III, a family member said. Naskar spoke of a tingling sensation on his hand when he was in the water, the relative said. He walked back home after that.
“He had been home barely an hour when he complained of discomfort and immense pain in his arm before he started vomiting,” said the relative.
His condition worsened and he was taken to the government-run primary healthcare centre in Jirongachha. Doctors referred him to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, around 22km away, on Monday.
Naskar became unconscious on the way to RG Kar hospital, the relative said.
Naskar was declared dead on arrival at RG Kar hospital on Monday night.
A senior officer of the Bidhannagar commissionerate said: “The preliminary post-mortem report states Naskar had been bitten by a poisonous snake. The final report is awaited.”
Last month, a 23-year-old man who was in the city toappear for an exam for a job died after being bitten by a snake in New Town’s Action Area III.
A senior forest department official said New Town has always had Russell’s Vipers, Common Kraits and Rat Snakes.
The situation is such that several housing complexes have stocked up on carbolic acid. The New Town Kolkata Development Authority has issued directives with helpline numbers for snake bites.