Kozhikode | A group of women sanitation workers attached to the Haritha Karma Sena had a narrow escape after a python was found among plastic waste during segregation at Koyilandy in this district, officials said on Saturday.

The workers alleged that the snake had been tied inside a plastic bag and discarded.

The incident occurred recently when the workers were segregating plastic waste collected from various wards at a municipal collection centre.

As they opened one of the bags, the python suddenly emerged, triggering panic among the workers.

The Haritha Karma Sena members alleged that the snake had been deliberately tied inside the plastic bag with wire and discarded along with plastic waste.

"We collect plastic waste from households in different wards and store it at a roadside collection point before taking it to the collection centre for segregation. When we opened the bag at the centre, the python came out. We believe someone deliberately dumped it there," one of the workers told a television channel.

The workers said they escaped without being bitten and lodged a complaint with the Koyilandy Municipality and police, seeking action against those responsible.

The Haritha Karma Sena comprises women sanitation workers engaged by local self-government institutions to collect, segregate and scientifically dispose of household waste across Kerala.