A tribal quack was arrested at Kumjhar village in Odisha's Kalahandi district today on charge of treating a 28-day-old with red hot iron rods, a police officer said.
Accused Purushottam Ghasi was arrested under provisions of Juvenile Justice Protection of Children Act following a complaint by R S Basanti, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Nabarangpur Block, the officer said.
Rukmani Kisan, an 'Anganwadi' worker of the village, gave birth to a baby boy 30 days back but post-birth, the child developed a swollen stomach and cried non-stop.
Rukmani contacted Purusotham, a 'Dishari' (tribal quack), of nearby Kumjhar village and took her child there for treatment, the officer said.
As part of treatment, the 'Dishari' singed the baby's torso with hot iron rods, he said.
As the baby's condition worsened after the incident, Rukmani admitted him in the district headquarters hospital (DHH) here on Thursday, he said
A case was registered on Friday, he said.
