In the bid to educate public about the atrocious crime especially focusing on witch-hunting practices prevalent in society since ages, IPS Officers Wives Association (IPSOWA) in collaboration with NGO ASHA and Government of Jharkhand organized a seminar to sensitize vulnerable people, especially women residing in rural belts across the State here on Monday.
As many as 550 women attended the seminar from both semi urban and rural belts from all the 24 districts of the State. Notably, maximum cases of ‘witch-hunting’ related violence are registered from Ranchi, Chaibasa, lohardaga, Gumla and Palamu districts.
Focusing on the main reasons for labeling women as ‘Witch’ Sarna sect leaders and guru, Bhandhan Tigga, while addressing the gathering, said, “Through awareness campaign at gram Sabha level, the evil practice can be curbed to an extend. Women having movable and non-movable assets at villages are the soft target and often labeled as ‘Witch’. Even those elderly women residing at villages without family members or relatives easily fall prey to violence. The members of civil society must focus on other social evils as well like banning liquor, early marriage etc. It is also important that people should never consult any such people who instigate them against their relatives.”
Through Nukkad Nataks and live skits, the NGO workers sensitized the gathering. A documentary film highlighting the heinous crime and its after affect was shown to educate and inform the participants. “To prevalent witch-hunting, it is necessary for every individual to raise the issue from different platforms. lack of awareness among the people is one vital reason that even now women are labeled as ‘Witch’. Only with the constant effort of NGOs, government officials and social activists it can be controlled or rather completely eradicated from the State in the days to come,” said IPSOWA president Poonam Pandey.
Chhutni Mahato, a woman once labeled as ‘Witch’ had to undergo the ordeal is presently spreading awareness about the same at block and panchayat level. Mahato, while addressing the people, appealed to the women to raise voice against such practice immediately to lead a dignified life. A toll free number, 07541084444 was released on the occasion to assist to females in time of distress as well.
The event was graced by eminent personalities including Balamdina Ekka, wife of Paramveer Albert Ekka; former IPS Arun Oraon, BJP MlA RK Kishore and IPSOWA president Poonam Pandey alongwith others.
Despite a large number of cases of ‘witch hunting’ deaths are registered in Jharkhand, no concrete steps have been taken to control the menace by far. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, in last five years the State has registered 1200 deaths by labeling females particularly elderly women as ‘Witch’.