Nabarangpur: Reports of child branding surfaces again in Odisha with the latest report coming from Nabarangpur district. A 16-month-old baby was branded with hot iron on his head, nose, shoulder and back of his neck by his own family members in a bid to cure him from fever.
The incident was reported from Nishinahandi village of Nandahandi block in the district.
Sources said, the 16-month-old son of Damu Bhatra was suffering from fever. The body temperature did not drop in spite of several attempts. The family members took the baby to a local quack who gave some medicine but of no relief.
Then the child’s uncle, aunt and grandmother branded him hot iron at 15 places. The condition of the baby deteriorated even more following which he was rushed to the Nabrangpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) Tuesday late night.
According to the sources, the baby is undergoing treatment and his condition is improving now.
Child branding is still being practiced as the healing procedure for the ailing children. Many people believe that the local quacks have the power to cure the babies from all the ailments, and sometimes even lose their children in the process.
