Keonjhar: In yet another act of superstition prevalent in tribal areas due to illiteracy and lack of awareness in remote pockets of Keonjhar district, a 10-year-old girl was left in a critical condition after she was branded in a bid to heal her of fever in this district.
The matter came to light Saturday after the girl was admitted to the district headquarters hospital. Her condition was stated to be critical.
The incident comes in the wake of two similar incidents where two one-and-a-half-year old babies were branded a few days ago. Meanwhile, medical reports suggested that at least five babies have been branded in a span of one week. All of them are battling for life at the district headquarters hospital while the filing of this report.
The recent victim of the cruel act was identified as Milly Dehuri, daughter of Jaladhar Dehuri of Raba village under Banspal block. The girl has been branded 36 times on her belly, doctors said. The extreme step was taken in a bid to cure her of stomach ache, sources said, while family members refrained from commenting for the fear of being arrested.
According to reports, Dehuri hails from a very poor family. He ekes out a living by working as a daily labourer. The girl was down with stomach ache for the last three to four days.
Initially, they neglected it assuming it would go away in a day or two. However, there was no improvement in her health. Unable to afford to the treatment, they approached a local quack for treatment.
The girl’s condition deteriorated after the quack branded her 36 times on her stomach. Later, the family members borrowed money and admitted her to the district headquarters hospital after her condition worsened.
Lack of awareness and extreme poverty is cited as the main reason behind such incidents, doctors at the DHH said.
It may be noted here that two babies were admitted to the DHH after branding June 11. Another two babies were admitted the very next day June 12. Now, the incident of Milly has become the fifth case of branding within a span of one week.
Meanwhile, one of the babies was shifted to Cuttack-based SCB Medical College and Hospital, it was learnt.
When contacted, Keonjhar chief district medical officer (CDMO) Kabindra Prasad Sahu said the condition of the babies is normal after treatment.
Lack of education and awareness is the prime reason behind incidents like branding and murder over suspicions of sorcery, Sahu added. PNN
