PNG man arrested over $5 circumcisions

A Papua New Guinea man has been arrested for performing circumcisions on young boys in the belief that the operation would reduce their chances of contracting HIV/AIDS.

Police arrested the elderly man after he recently performed 10 circumcisions on boys aged between 10 and 15 years old for $5 each.

The operations took place at the man's house using razor blades, no aesthetic and leaves dipped in liquid to heal the wounds.

Traditional circumcision is used for manhood rituals in some areas in PNG, but not in Enga province where these procedures took place.

The young boys believed circumcision would greatly reduce their chances of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Police have charged the man with inflicting grievous bodily harm.