Parents burn children with incense sticks to treat fever in Karnataka's Koppal instead of medicine
Koppal: In a disturbing case of superstition-driven child abuse, several families in Vithalapur village of Koppal district have been reportedly burning their children with incense sticks to treat common fevers instead of consuming medicines.
The practice, which has also allegedly resulted in death of seven-month-old baby, has drawn strong condemnation from health officials and social activists.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, at least 18 such cases have come to light, following the recent death of the infant whose mother allegedly used a burning incense stick as a home remedy for fever. Social activists investigating the incident revealed that many more cases likely remain unnoticed.
The villagers reportedly believe that burning the skin with incense sticks and applying agarbatti ash can cure fever and bring God’s blessings. This belief, deeply rooted in local superstition, has led to repeated cases of children being physically harmed in the name of healing.
The district administration took serious note of the issue after the infant’s death. Authorities will file cases against the parents involved in all 18 identified incidents, the report added.
Residents of Koppal expressed concern over the prevalence of such harmful beliefs. Some villagers acknowledged that certain families not only practice these rituals but actively spread their beliefs to others. They have urged the district administration and police to crack down on individuals, including self-styled godmen (‘babas’), who promote such dangerous treatments.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has instructed local officials to increase surveillance and launch awareness about the issue among villagers.
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Telangana: Man sets woman on fire for 'rejecting' marriage proposal
Hyderabad (PTI): A 28-year-old married woman was set on fire allegedly by a man after she "rejected" his marriage proposal in Mahabubabad town on Tuesday, police said.
The accused, in his 40s, who runs a shop, had developed an "illicit" relationship with the woman and was suspecting that she was in contact with another person and that she was "ignoring" him.
He poured petrol on the woman when she was alone at her house and set her on fire. He then hugged her and both of them suffered injuries, police said.
They were initially shifted to Government Hospital in Mahabubabad and later admitted to another state-run Hospital in Warangal for further treatment.
As per the doctors, the woman suffered 90 per cent burns in the incident while the accused 75 per cent burns, police said.
The woman's mother, in a complaint to the police, stated that her daughter was married to a man in Gudur mandal.
Due to family disputes, the woman came to Mahabubabad along with her two children and was residing there for the past three years.
She was running a vegetable cart. The accused was already married, and his wife had passed away. He developed an"illicit" relationship with the woman, police said.
The accused allegedly forced and harassed the victim to marry him, the complainant said.
Based on a complaint, an attempt to murder case was registered in connection with the incident, police added.
