AIZAWL, Sept 21 - A 20-year-old man in Lawngtlai town demonstrated exemplary courage when he rescued his driver from the clutches of a large Burmese python last night. The python was subsequently killed.
Lalhriata, a cab owner, and his driver, Lalvena, were ferrying a woman passenger from Lawngtlai in south Mizoram to a village when the incident took place.
�It was pitch dark when we stopped at a remote area to relieve ourselves. My driver Lalvena did not notice the python lying near a roadside drain till it suddenly wrapped itself around his body and attempted to strangle him,� Lalhriata said.
�When he cried for help, the first thing that came to my mind was that it could be a prank. However, as Lalvena�s cries grew shriller, I realised that he was in some kind of serious trouble and rushed to his help,� he said, recounting the dreadful experience.
Lalhriata quickly ran towards his driver to find him writhing in the python�s clutches.
�As the python tightened its grip, both rolled down the hill. I immediately jumped and somehow managed to hold the python�s neck and started raining kicks on it. I asked the passenger to bring me any weapon and she came running with a machete. I repeatedly hit the snake with the machete, forcing it to release Lalvena,� he said.
�After killing the python, I poured water on Lalvena to help him regain consciousness,� he said.
Lalvena also recalled how the python wrapped its body around him and had almost suffocated him to death.
�The last thing I remember was rolling down the hill with the python,� he said.
