Nayagarh: In an utter display of inhuman and superstitious act, a 15-day-old infant was branded with a hot iron nail as a ‘cure’ for stomach ailment. The incident took place at Baijhari village under Dasapalla police limits in Nayagarh district
According to reports, the newborn boy was suffering from indigestion which caused abdomen bloating. His father -Damodar Mallik of Baijhari took him to a local quack instead of consulting doctor.
The quack immediately branded his stomach 12 times with a hot iron. The infant fell seriously ill after suffering from burn injuries.
The critically ill infant fell unconscious due to burns. Damodar took him to the nearest Banigochha health centre where doctors referred him to Dasapalla.
But, Damodar brought him back home, apprehending dead.
The practice of branding ailing infants with hot metal objects to cure ailments is widely practised in remote areas of Odisha.
