Another infant branded with hot iron in Keonjhar

Keonjhar: Superstition continues to rule the roost in the district as another 15-day-old infant was branded with hot iron to cure his stomach ailment in Talabaruda village under Bansapal block here.

Injured, the baby was admitted to district headquarters hospital. The baby's condition is showing signs of improvement after treatment, hospital sources said.

The grandmother of the baby adopted the cruel method of treatment after the baby’s stomach swelled. Ignoring the infant’s wails, she branded the baby’s belly at several places with hot iron nail as “treatment”.

This is sixth case of branding reported from the district within a span of eight days.