15-day-old baby branded with hot iron to cure ailments

Keonjhar: In yet another case of superstitious practice, a 15-day-old girl was branded with a hot iron by grandmother to cure ailments.

As per reports, the infant was suffering from common cold and stomach related ailments. Instead of taking the baby girl to a hospital, the grandmother inflicted the burns on her as a remedy.

Sources said the infant was admitted to the Keonjhar District Headquarters hospital late last night in critical condition, where she is undergoing treatment.

Several cases of branding children with hot metal objects such as iron rod or bangles to cure ailments have been reported from remote villages of the State. Such evil practices show the level of ignorance among people in the State.