The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and State Director General of Police over death of babies and injuries caused to pregnant women due to hot iron branding in the State.
The NHRC has issued these notices acting on petitions filed by rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy in this regard. Tripathy cited few examples of baby deaths and severe injuries caused to others due to branding in Odisha. A nine-day-girl of Goram village under Nabarangpur district had died due to hot iron branding in January this year. Tribals continue to practise such methods due to lack to awareness, he alleged.
In another case, a 22-day-old boy of Badiguda village under Borrigumma block of Koraput district had also been branded with hot iron rod by a village quack earlier this month. Besides, a baby of one Anganwadi worker was also branded with iron rod recently, he mentioned.
Tribal people continue to adopt this healing method as the Government has failed to ensure medical treatment in the tribal-dominated areas. Death of the baby and severe injuries caused to other infant and pregnant women due to hot iron branding amounts to serious human rights violation, pointed out Tripathy in his petitions.
He requested the NHRC to investigate these cases and direct the Government to take immediate measures and give compensations to victims.
The NHRC has asked the CS and DGP to submit action taken reports within four weeks.