Despite the Nabarangpur district administration’s awareness programmes and arrest of several Disaris (quacks), there seems to be no end to the menace of branding infants for curing them of illnesses in the tribal district.
As many as 23 children, including a kid, in Bhim Sahi of Papadahandi block headquarters town were branded by their parents. Most of the children were aged between seven months and 10 years.
Of them 14 children, who belong to a single family, are Payal Patra, Patra Sagar Sahu, lambadar Sahu, Arun Sahu, labail Sahu, Risen Sahu, Seshadev Sahu, Sriya Sahu, Sridhar Sahu, Smruti Sahu, Manasi Sahu, Asha Sahu, Asish Sahu, Purosttom Sahu, Kanhei Sahu and Radhakia Sahu.
Most of the parents who took part in the inhuman superstitious practice of branding were illiterate and belong to Khadra community who came from Deobhog area of neighbouring Chattisgarh, 40 years back and settled at Papadahndi. Near about 35 families of the community now reside at Papadahandi and are mainly into the business of utensil sale.
On Chitau Amavasya using small sticks from Jujubu tree, the community members branded their children with the hope that it would prevent stomach ailments in future.
Kodand Sahu, an elderly member of the community, said, “I have 14 grandchildren who were branded with a hot Jujub stick. We believe that if the children are branded on Chitau Amavasya, their digestive capacity will improve and it will prevent stomach ailments in future.” He further said on the day, a variety of leaves are also affixed to the doors of their houses during the night to ward off evil spells.
Anganwadi Worker Chandrama Moharana and ASHA Hemlata Majhi immediately rushed to the houses and noted down the names of branded kids on Saturday evening.
The Anganwadi health worker and ASHA have termed the incident as unfortunate. They stated that despite their efforts and awareness programmes, again such practice was performed secretly.
In the meanwhile, district Collector Ajit Kumar Mishra directed Medical Officer of Papahandi CHC Dr Susrita Sethi to inquire into the matter and also requested OMSA president Dr NirakaraBhata who was on a visit to Nabarangpur on Sunday, to look into the situation. The medicos visited the place and found all the children to be normal and stable.