Balangir: In a bizarre incident, five children from the Pandarapita village in Balangir district were treated by a district hospital after they recently staged a ceremonial sacrifice of a puppy and consumed its blood. All five were administered rabies vaccine, according to health officials. Police said the quintet was seen taking out a rally of a dead puppy on February 19.
"The elders saw the children imitating an animal sacrifice ritual prevalent in tribal dominated areas. When they checked with the children, they learnt that the kids have consumed the blood of the 'sacrificed' puppy. The children were subsequently brought to the government hospital on February 26. They were brought again the next day for observation," a police officer said.
The district administration has taken steps to sensitise the villagers to prevent the recurrence of such incidents among children. "We have ordered a probe into the incident. A health worker and a medical officer have already been sent to the village to create awareness among the local populace," Chief District Medical Officer Snehalatha Sahu told ETV Bharat.
Sulia Jatra is one of the tribal festival during which thousands of animals and birds will be sacrificed and is famous in these pockets of the district. It appears the children might have been influenced by the animal sacrifice practice.
