Snakebite victims in an eastern Indian village are being treated with a controversial acid treatment which fails to cure the bite and leaves them disfigured for life.

The treatment sees them covered with a corrosive substance where the snake touched their bodies.

Niranjan Behera's body was left severely burned after he sought treatment for a snake bite.

Behera has been unable to wear a shirt or go outside due to the pain caused by the blistering.

Snake Helpline secretary Subhendu Mallik, who visited the victims, said: “Anti Snake Venom (ASV) is available free of cost at government hospitals, but people still go to quacks due to lack of awareness.

"We are helping the victims get medical attention and also complaining to the police against the quack.”

This footage was filmed on August 18.

A quack has been treating snake bite victims with acid in Indian village. While the ‘treatment’ may not save their life, it is definitely leaving them disfigured for life.

Niranjan Behera, 30, a resident of Mrudangapalli village near Dhenkanal in eastern India, was working in his garden when a green colour snake fell on him from a tree. He threw the snake off with his hand instinctively.

There were no fang marks on Niranjan's body, nor did he feel any bite or effects of any envenomation. His family members still took him to a local quack as a precautionary move. The quack applied an acid-like liquid wherever Niranjan felt the snake had touched his body.

The liquid burnt his body, triggered blisters leaving Niranjan in tremendous pain. He has been unable to wear a shirt or go out and is facing social stigma.

Members of Snake Helpline, who visited Niranjan, found another victim of the quack in the village.

Sarita Mohapatra, 25, was bitten by a snake on her left toe on 17 August. The quack applied the same liquid on her, which has resulted in severe burn injuries on her body, especially legs.

Sarita, who is in pain, is unable to wear her regular dresses and has to wrap herself with just a towel. She is unable to to step out of her house and is facing tremendous social stigma.

Snake Helpline secretary Subhendu Mallik, who visited the victims, said: “Anti Snake Venom (ASV) is available free of cost at government hospitals, but people still go to quacks due to lack of awareness.

We are helping the victims get medical attention and also complaining to the police against the quack.”

Snake Helpline, a non profit organisation, has been working to reduce human and snake conflict in eastern India.