Madhya Pradesh: Infant dies after branded with hot iron in Shahdol

This is the third death of children due to branding in stomach, locally known as ‘Dagna’, in Shahdol district since November 21

Published on: Dec 31, 2023, 16:54:11 IST

By Shruti Tomar

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BHOPAL: A 45-days-old infant died due to infection after he was branded with hot iron rod to treat pneumonia in Shahdol district, an official said on Saturday.

Police said they are investigating the matter. (Representative Image)

This is the third death of children due to branding in stomach, locally known as ‘Dagna’, in Shahdol district since November 21. Earlier, two infants died after branding with hot iron rod to treat pneumonia.

A resident of Bandhwa village Harsh Lal Baiga’s son Rajan Baiga had been admitted to Shahdol district hospital on December 21. Requesting anonymity, a doctor said, “The child was admitted to the PICU of the district hospital. He was unable to breathe properly and his ribs were found broken. He died of complications caused due to infection.”

The mother Rambai said, “I had gone to my mother’s village. My son fell ill. On the direction of a midwife, I branded the child’s stomach with hot bangles. After this, when the child’s health did not improve, he was admitted to the district hospital Shahdol.”

Shahdol, superintendent of police Kumar Prateek said, “We are investigating the matter. We will take necessary action against the accused.”

District collector Vandana Vaidya refused to respond on the incident.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shruti Tomar
I have spent over a decade chronicling Madhya Pradesh’s political and social landscape, covering politics, investigative journalism, crime, human interest, and government policy, blending sharp insight with ground‑level depth. I have closely tracked three assembly elections, three Lok Sabha elections, leadership transitions in MP while exposing governance lapses, tender irregularities, and flawed policy rollouts. My reports have revealed gaps in the Cheetah project, irregularities in medical education, rigging in recruitment exams, and loopholes in policy implementation. In crime reporting, I have moved beyond FIRs to map systemic patterns — from organised crime networks and gender‑based violence to custodial accountability — balancing urgency with sensitivity. My journalism is defined by a commitment to human interest. I have profiled the marginalised Bancchda community, documented atrocities against tribal groups, and highlighted efforts to preserve their culture through heritage liquor and revival of spiritual practices. I have reported on farmers struggling with failed MSP promises, giving voice to those often reduced to statistics in policy files. Passionate about field reporting, I have reported on rampant sand mining in Chambal and Narmada, pharmaceutical companies supplying medicines under altered names, the dire condition of schools and colleges, the plight of commercial sex workers, and skewed sex ratios in specific districts. Beyond deadlines, and as HT’s state correspondent and assistant editor in Madhya Pradesh, I engage with ministers, farmers, students, and activists, believing the best policy stories begin with a single human voice. A postgraduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, I also hold a diploma in sports journalism.Read More

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