Puducherry: A highly venomous viper snake was found in the VIP lounge of Puducherry airport. The Airports Authority of India had to rush out of the room where a meeting was being held.
Airports Authority of India chairman, Guruprasad Mohapatra first saw the six-feet-long snake slithering under a couch and immediately informed other officials in the room.
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A woman who worked with the airport support staff tried to drive out the snake with a mop. Later a police constable got the hold of the reptile and surrendered it to the forest department, officials said.
The snake may have come from a thicket near the airport. This is not a surprise as these reptiles hide in dark and cool places during summers and such cases have been recorded before as well.
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The police constable, D Thiagou, of the Indian Reserve Battalion has been awarded cash and a certificate acknowledging his act of bravery by Director General of Police SK Gautam. The support staffer who tried to chase away the snake will also be honoured, as informed by airport officials.