Odisha divyang youth critical after undergoing superstitious ritual at temple

Phulbani: A divyang youth of Bhagamunda Sahi in Baliguda area of Odisha’s Kandhamal district fell prey to a superstitious ritual as he sustained critical burn injuries while undergoing it.

The victim, identified as Bhabani Shankar Nanda (30), has been admitted to the Baliguda sub-divisional hospital for treatment. His condition is stated to be critical.

According to reports, a woman of the locality had advised Nanda’s mother of subjecting him to ‘holy flame’ at a temple on the outskirts of the village for curing his physical deformities.

As per the decision of the youth’s mother, he was taken to the temple on September 8 and hung upside down above the holy fire, during which he sustained 20-30 percent burn injuries.

He was kept inside the temple and administered home remedies despite his critical condition. The priests of the temple had allegedly tried to suppress the incident.

After his condition deteriorated further, his mother insisted on admitting him to hospital after which the whole episode came to fore.

Registering a suo moto case into the incident, the Baliguda police have arrested two priests of the temple.