Frustrated over alleged delay in allotment of land and demands for bribe, a snake charmer let loose over a dozen snakes inside a revenue department office in Basti, triggering panic among staff.
The incident occurred yesterday when Hakkul, who alleged that revenue department staff
were demanding bribe for allotment of land for snake conservation, dumped nearly 20 snakes inside the office of revenue inspector in Haraiyan, officials said.
Chaos prevailed in the crowded office as the snakes slithered on the furniture and the floor, they said, adding forest department personnel were called to catch them.
No one was injured in the incident.
Hakkul later said that he used to catch snakes to save them. He said that for conservation work, he wrote a letter to the President to allot additional land on which the government last year directed the local administration to complete formalities.
Hakkul, however, alleged that revenue department officials were demanding bribe and the matter was still pending.
Sub-divisional magistrate Ranvijay Singh said that the land would be allotted to Hakkul soon.
As of now, authorities are not contemplating action against him, officials said.