12-ft python enters fruit shop opposite Dhar police station, sarpanch catches it

A python about 12 feet long entered a fruit shop opposite a police station in Dhar on Wednesday night. Passers-by were alarmed on seeing the snake outside the shop, and panic spread in the area.

Sarpanch Dharmendra Bamaniya was informed of the incident. He was reportedly having a meal when the call came, and he left his plate and reached the spot at once. By then the python had gone in under the shop's shutter.

Bamaniya carefully brought the snake under control and took it out of the shop. He then spoke to Forest Department officials, and the python was safely released in a forest at the place they indicated.

Bamaniya said the python was first seen crawling outside the shop in front of the police station, and soon afterwards went inside the fruit shop. He reached the spot as soon as the shopkeeper informed him, and arranged to take the python out safely and release it in a forest.

According to Bamaniya, sightings of pythons in the area have increased over the past year or two. Earlier only one or two pythons were seen in a whole year, but now an estimated 20 to 25 come to light in a year. A python was also caught near a school a few days ago. Similar incidents have occurred at Teekhi Bayadi and other places as well.

He said fields are being cleared these days for wheat sowing and other farm work. This has reduced hiding places in the fields and nearby bushes, so pythons are moving towards populated areas. Pythons are being seen more often than snakes in the area. With such incidents recurring, villagers are also staying alert.