Shocking! 22-day-old baby branded with hot iron in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Jeypore, Jan 9:

A 22-day-old baby boy has been admitted to Jeypore sub-divisional hospital in a serious condition after he was branded with hot iron rods all over his body on the advice of the local healer in Odisha’s Koraput district to cure ailments.

Khageshwar Pradhani and his wife, residents of Jhariguda village in Borigumma block, were blessed with a son 22 days ago.

As the baby was not suckling milk, the couple approached a quack on the advice of neighbours. The latter advised them to brand the neonate to get over the health issues.

After the child was branded with hot iron rods, his condition started deteriorating. Moreover, the infant developed mouth ulcers too. The family members had kept the baby at home without providing him medical care. When the baby did not recover and his condition became worse, they were forced to admit him to the local hospital.

It may be recalled that a quack was arrested last month for branding a minor at Butipadar village in Nabarangpur district.