However, with the police maintaining strict vigil, there was significant decrease in the number people observing the ‘ritual’, this time. Two children were partially buried in a manure yard in Gazipur.

Acting on a tip-off, the police rushed to the spot and prevented the parents from continuing with the “eclipse therapy.”  Cases have been registered against the parents/guardians of the children, Superintendent of Police B A Padmanayan said.

Strict vigil

The police had maintained strict vigil for the past two days on all the routes. They sent back the families from outside, including Andhra Pradesh, which had come to the City along with the ailing or physically handicapped children for the ‘therapy’. Besides, campaigns were conducted in rural areas to create awareness among the public against the practice.

It may be recalled that a large number of children with physical deformities were partially buried during the partial solar eclipse on July 21 last year in Bilalabad, Naya Mohalla, Kharibowdi and Muslim dominated areas of the City.

The public and media had pressurised the district administration to prohibit the ritual. However, a senior officer said that the administration cannot do anything if the ‘ritual’ is held in a private house, away from public glare.