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Keonjhar: Despite numerous awareness programmes carried out by the government and non-government organisations, superstitious activities are still prevalent in many parts especially the tribal-dominated areas in the State.
One such instance of such a blind belief which claimed a precious life has surfaced at Kainsari village under Bansapala block in Keonjhar district.
According to reports, a young married man, who was suffering from acute Tuberculosis (TB), died after undergoing hot branding therapy to get rid of the disease.
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34-year-old Bikash Dehury of Kainsari village was down with TB for the last several days following which he complained of loss of appetite, fever and other physical disorders.
Family members alleged that they had consulted doctors at several health institutes including Bansapal Community Health Centre and district headquarters hospital for treatment. However, doctors had not treated him, saying that he was well and fine, kin alleged.
Later, Bikash himself insisted on taking branding therapy. His wife, father-in-law and mother-in-law had taken him to a local quack who branded him with a hot iron throughout his body. His body bore around 500 burn marks, reports said.
Already down with TB, Bikash could not bear the pain of burn injuries caused by the hot iron branding and succumbed to the injuries on Thursday.
Bikash is survived by his wife and two minor children.
Locals often depend on local quacks for hot branding to cure stomach related ailments.
According to reports, Kainsari and other neighbouring villages are situated in the vicinity of OMC (Odisha Mining Corporation) mines. Locals mostly work in the mining areas to eke out a living. Due to serious air pollution, most of the villagers suffer respiratory disease in the areas.
