This newborn in Assam was forced to walk by a quack as treatment for fever
A two-day old baby boy was grabbed by his neck and made to walk a few steps by an alleged quack as a cure for fever in a village in Assam. The baby was saved from further torture when a villager took a mobile phone video and shared it.
The child reportedly had high fever since birth. On Monday, his parents took him to a woman in her 50s, known in their village to be a witch doctor. Her treatment was nothing short of horrific.
The video, which is extremely disturbing, shows the woman holding the crying newborn by his neck, and making him walk some steps while villagers just watch.
When the mobile phone clip was shared and reported to the administration of Morigaon, the district where the village is located, a police team rushed to the spot. The baby is now in hospital, out of danger and recovering.
Two women, including the quack, have been arrested and sent to judicial custody.
The state government admits that dubious "healers" influence people easily in large parts of rural Assam, where there is a lack of awareness about caring for newborns and their mothers.
"He was suffering from fever, but now the baby is healthy. We must overhaul our post natal care system, have directed officials to launch a vigorous campaign," said Rakesh Kumar, a senior official in Morigaon.