7-month-old branded with hot iron in Nabarangpur

Umerkote: Another infant fell prey to the superstitious practice of hot iron branding at Phupugan village under Nandahandi Block in Nabarangpur district on Friday.

The seven-month-old girl was branded with hot iron by her mother to cure her from stomach ailments. She was later admitted to Indravati Project Hospital as her condition deteriorated. She is undergoing treatment in the hospital.

The practice of branding children with hot iron to cure ailments is rampant in remote areas of the State despite various awareness programmes being run by the government.