The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Chief Secretary to make every possible effort for effective implementation of the provisions of the Prevention of Witch Hunting Act, 2013 in the State.
The NHRC passes the order taking cognisance of a petition filed by social activist and Supreme Court lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.
The petitioner stated that on June 12, 2021, one Luka Dalabehera and his son Anak were beaten to death at Muthuguda village in Gajapati district of Odisha on the suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
The incident occurred in spite of the Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act existing to deal with the social evil.
Tripathy alleged that the act is not being implemented in true letter and spirit due to which innocent people are being subjected to torture and harassment.
He requested the commission to issue directions to the State authorities to take appropriate action in the cases of witchcraft and sorcery in the entire State.
The State authorities in a report submitted to the NHRC stated that a case has been registered at Adaba police station on the complaint of Ludia Gomango, daughter of the deceased Luka and the case was investigated.
During the probe all the 13 accused were arrested and forwarded to court. The case is pending for further investigation. However, sincere steps are being taken for the early submission of the charge-sheet.
Meetings are being conducted in all the police station jurisdictions through Ama police scheme in frequent intervals and awareness programmes are being conducted to prevent the further incidents.
The other stakeholders have been intimated to hold awareness programme and wide publicity of evils of witch hunting act among local people, the report stated,