8-month old infant branded with hot iron

Nabarangpur: In another instance of inhuman activity based on superstation, an eight months old infant was allegedly branded with hot iron by his father in the name of treatment at Mahuvata village under Raighara police limits.

According to reports, the baby boy, son of Rama Ganda, was suffering from Asthma. Ganda on February 19 branded the baby boy with hot iron to cure him, the sources added.

But when the condition of the baby deteriorated he was first rushed to Umarkot hospital. Later, he was shifted to Nabarangpur district headquarters hospital when his condition worsened.

Rama Ganda, father of the boy said “My son was suffering from Asthma. I gave him five iron brandings on February 19 at around 1 pm to cure him. But his condition deteriorated.”

“Finding no other option I took him the hospital,” Ganda added.

When asked on whose influence he branded his son with hot iron, Ganda said, “Earlier my father used to follow the practice to cure the people. I though it will work out. So I branded my son with hot iron.”

Dr Sushant Panda, attending the infant said, “The health condition of the baby is stable now. We are providing all necessary treatment required for the baby.”

Notably, four infants were branded with hot iron in Nabarangpur district in last three months.