Indian 'goddess' buried alive

2007-11-05 20:08

Shimla - A woman revered as a snake goddess who could cure the ill was rescued by police after villagers agreed to her request to be buried alive in a north Indian village, police said on Monday.

Sapna Kumari, 18, was buried in a deep pit in Himachal Pradesh state's Chamba Valley after she insisted on being placed in a tomb. Hundreds of people including reporters watched the burial, said local police chief SR Rana.

But he said police dug her out several hours later and were surprised to find her alive and healthy - although Ashish Sharma, the doctor who examined her, said she was showing "signs of hysteria".

The police chief said Kumari had been drawing large crowds, including many sick people, after claiming to be a snake goddess.

- AFP