A 13-year-old boy died of snake bite near Mettupalayam early this morning when he came out of his house to answer nature’s call.

His parents and relatives refused to accept his body after the postmortem from the Government Hospital as a sign of protest against the administration’s apathy towards increasing deaths due to snake bite.

Mohanraj, an eighth grader, was found unconscious by his parents outside their house. They rushed him to the Government Hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

Immediately around 50 people, including the boy’s parents and relatives, gathered in front of the collectorate and sought action against increasing snake bites in the area. The faulted the administration for not taking any action in spite of their repeated requests and petitions to clear the huge vegetation in the residential area and for not providing basic amenities including water and electricity.

They also staged a demonstration in front of the hospital and refused to accept the body demanding concrete action.