KANPUR: In a bizarre incident, a 24-year-old woman vanished into the unknown from her Auraiya house, abandoning a 5-foot serpentine slough, fuelling whispers of a mystical metamorphosis.According to police, a dramatic turn of events unfolded in Singanpur village as Reena eloped with her lover on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, leaving behind a trail of eerie clues — a 5-foot snake slough, bangles, rings, and clothes on her bed, suggesting a mysterious transformation.Her family discovered the snake slough on her bed on Monday morning, sparking claims that she had transformed into a ‘naagin’, prompting villagers to alert the authorities.Streams of locals gathered at the girl’s house to see the snake slough until police traced her movement by tracking her mobile phone. Police said the investigation revealed that Reena had an affair with a youth from the same village, who was also missing, while her family fixed her marriage with another man days earlier. Police said she staged the act before running away to create confusion among family members.Reena, the youngest of six siblings, is the daughter of Rakesh Valmiki. Her education was up to Class VIII at the local Basic Junior school in the village.Reports suggest Reena had been planning her escape for three months. She visited Sheshnag temple in Kumhel, Mainpuri, and brought back a snake idol, later claiming to see snakes in her dreams. She took only the idol when she left home.Investigation revealed Reena was in touch with a local guy via her mom’s phone. Cops tracked the number and put it under surveillance, leading them to the man’s number, who’s now being searched by the police.Reena’s father has lodged a complaint, naming a local boy. CO Manoj Gangwar dismissed the ‘naagin’ claims as hearsay. Three teams have been formed to locate the duo.
