A boy bitten by a snake died while being transported for further treatment, triggering a protest in Kalyanpur of Bhagwanpur Rural Municipality–4 in Siraha over an alleged delay in obtaining an ambulance.

The boy was identified by local residents as Roshan Mandal, the son of Arun Mandal from Balan Bihul Rural Municipality in neighbouring Saptari district. He had been taken to the primary health centre in Kalyanpur after the snakebite, according to a report by Birgunj City News.

Local residents alleged that the child did not receive treatment and ambulance service in time. They claimed the ambulance driver said the vehicle could not leave without approval from Bhagwanpur Rural Municipality chairperson Ugra Narayan Yadav.

Roshan was subsequently taken toward Lahan for additional treatment but reportedly died on the way.

The allegation concerning the chairperson’s approval has not been established as fact. Police said they were investigating whether such authorization was required, why treatment was allegedly delayed and whether negligence contributed to the child’s death. Birgunj City News

Following the death, angry residents vandalized the primary health centre and blocked the Hulaki Highway. Protesters burned tyres and pieces of wood on the road, disrupting traffic.

A meeting with the rural municipality chairperson had reportedly been planned for 11 a.m. Protesters became more agitated after alleging that the chairperson did not appear for the discussion.

Protest leaders Pravind Yadav and Indal Mandal accused the chairperson of disregarding the incident.

Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel were deployed to the area as authorities tightened security. Police said an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the treatment, ambulance arrangements and death was underway.