In a yet another ghastly incident of witch-hunting at Dadha village of latehar under Balumath Police Station, five people, including two women, were seriously injured following an attack on them by a group of people belonging to the same family on the charges of witch-craft being practised by an old age person living in the same family. According to police, a case of witch-hunting and manhandling has been registered against six persons.
“Both the groups are related to each other and were undergoing land and house dispute between them,” said latehar SP Anup Birthare. According to police, prejudice against the victim family was sparked after the death of a lady in a road accident belonging to the attacking family.
The five injured persons have been identified as Bujul Yadav ( 28), Manoj Yadav (24), Dileshwar Yadav ( 55), Righani Devi ( 30), and Jasho Devi ( 23).
According to police, death of a woman belonging to the first group of the family took place a few days back in a road accident but they attacked on the second group alleging them of witnessing witchcraft through a person living with them.
“Disappointed with few incidents of death in a row which took place in their family due to various reasons, the first group of the family attacked on the second one alleging them of practising witchcraft on 80-year old man living in the family,” said officer in charge of Balumath Police Station Ajay Kumar Singh. Both the groups live in the same campus and are also having a dispute over land and house, added Singh.
“They attacked with knives and sticks and injured them badly by making several scar marks on their bodies. All the victims have been referred to RIMS and said to be out of danger now,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, a report related to Mandar witch-hunting, which took place on August 11, was submitted to the District legal Services Authority (DlSA) by Advocate Vinod Kumar Sahu on Tuesday. Sahu had been asked to visit the village and submit a report before DlSA by Monday.
Recommending judicial enquiry into the case, Sahu stated in the report that the victim’s family apprehended that they might not get justice under prevalent conditions as Mukhiya
“Four FIRs registered for a single incident itself poses a question mark over the intention of police, which also seems to be under pressure,” said advocate Sahu. Moreover, more than a dozen of accused persons allegedly roaming around the village are giving sleepless nights to the victim’s family members who are terrified after the incident.
As many as 14 people absconding in the case were also said to be a cause of concern for the victim’s family who are often said to be spotted near the village.
Five women allegedly accused of practicing witchcraft, were mercilessly killed in Kanjia village with traditional arms by local youths on August 11. The women, who were allegedly branded as witches by the villagers, could not be saved by their kin as the armed youths also attacked and threatened them for their lives.