NABARANGPUR (ODISHA): The Odisha police on Saturday arrested a woman for allegedly branding a 30-day-old infant with hot iron nails leading to his death. The woman disari (local healer) identified as Manik Gouda was arrested by local police in the morning from her residence at B Maliguda village in Nabarangpur district.
According to reports, 10 days ago, the woman had branded the baby boy with hot iron nails at B Maliguda village under Nandahandi block. When the condition of the infant turned critical, the family members on Thursday rushed him to the district headquarters hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. The wounds had caused infection due to which he died. The baby had already died before coming to hospital, the authorities had said.
In another development, an elderly woman was on Friday arrested for allegedly branding a newborn boy who died late on Thursday night at a government-run hospital in Rourkela. The woman identified as Shanti Das, 65, was arrested by Raghunathpalli police for allegedly branding the month-old baby with hot iron bangles leading to his death at Ispat General Hospital (IGH).
Despite widespread awareness drive, people in rural parts of Odisha are still approaching local healers for curing their newborn babies. The local healers are branding the infants with hot irons or bangles leading to their deaths. The officials are keen on sensitising the people about the superstitions but the practice still remains prevalent.
