An 80 years old ailing widow, who was ostracized by villagers for practising sorcery, was rescued and admitted at the Rourkela Government Hospital on Monday late evening in a serious condition.
The ailing woman reportedly languished in a sachet near Nuagaon block gate for about five days during incessant rains. A few social activists noticed her and informed the Gram Panchayat Extension Officer (GPEO), who arranged to send her to the hospital.
The victim Etuwari lohar is a native of Goladaru village under the Nuagaon police outpost. Since her husband had died long back and she is childless, she was staying with one of her relatives in the village. But the villagers had thrashed her and driven her out suspecting her to be practicing sorcery on July 26.
She was compelled to move in helpless condition during the incessant rains for about three days without any food. On Monday evening some social activists of Nuagaon had spotted her languishing near Nuagaon block gate area outside a sachet.
They informed GPEO Prasant Kumar Sinha, who reached at the spot and arranged to send her to the Rourkela Government Hospital by 108 ambulance, since her health condition was critical.
Meanwhile, her condition was stable, said hospital sources.
“I am a vegetarian. I have never eaten non veg items at all in my life but it is matter of regret that at this old age of my life, the villagers are accusing me of having eaten human flesh and dubbing me as a witch,” said Etuwari in a choked voice.