Udala: An abandoned newborn baby boy, stuffed in a bag, was rescued from under Sone river bridge near Athanagaon village under Udala police station in Mayurbhanj district Friday.
Prima facie, it appears that someone had thrown the bag off the 60-ft high river bridge. However, the baby survived, apparently due to the sand on the riverbed.
A few women who were washing clothes in the river heard the faint cries of the baby and rushed to the spot to find the newborn inside a plastic bag, wrapped in newspapers.
Once the news spread, locals hurried to the scene. Villagers rescued the baby and admitted him to Udala Hospital where his condition is stated to be stable.
Dr Madhusmita Behera at the hospital confirmed that the baby was born Friday. Though there were no deep injuries on his body, the baby is being closely monitored and is doing well. The doctor also noted that the baby wasn’t born in a hospital.
Meanwhile, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) also arrived at the hospital and attempted to take the newborn into custody. But the CWC members faced resistance from the locals present there, leading to a face-off between them.
Eventually, police arrived at the hospital and brought the situation under control. The police said the baby would be taken into CWC custody with due procedure, and that anyone who is interested in adopting the child can approach the CWC.
The baby has now been transferred to Baripada, where the CWC will take custody of him.
Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt to nab the person behind the inhuman act and identify the child’s parents. People have demanded stringent action against the mother who had abandoned the baby.
PNN