In a shocking incident in Bihars Vaishali district, a dead snake was found in a mid-day meal served at a government-run middle school, on Wednesday.

At least six student fell ill after consuming the food, which triggered angry protests by villagers, who took a government official hostage for over an hour, the police said.

A student, who was served mid-day meal, found a baby snake in his plate and informed the school teachers and cooks, but initially they ignored it. Soon, two students vomited and complained of stomach pain, while a few others complained of uneasiness, a police official said. The ill students were taken to a doctor for treatment.

When Block Education officer Mohammad Shaffi Alam reached the school after getting information about the incident, angry villagers made him hostage and demanded he call top officials of the district administration. Local police rescued Alam and assured villagers of action in the case, a police official said.

According to a teacher, two cooks and their assistant, Gunja Devi, Mania Devi and Manju Devi, served the mid day meal supplied by Ekta Shakti Foundation to students.  -- MI Khan in Patna/Rediff.com