Nation’s dark side: Superstition claims infant’s life after mother chops off extra fingers

Bhopal: A newborn girl died a painful death in the Khandwa region of Madhya Pradesh after her mother decided to operate on her without any knowledge of medicine. 

The infant was born with six fingers on both of her hands and legs, following which the mother chopped off the extra fingers with a blade. She then bandaged the wounds with cow dung and leaves. 

In no time the baby developed an infection and died within six hours. 

It is a popular belief among the adivasis that extra fingers on hands or legs bring bad luck.

Though there were accredited social health activist (ASHA) workers in the village, the woman in question had given birth in the house itself.