A woman of Sundargarh district, who had been ostracised along with her family members 14 years ago after she was branded a witch, is still leading painful life. Even if the district administration had assured her of necessary support during that time, the hapless woman has been still left in the lurch.
According to sources, Nuni Ekka(50) was residing with her husband Daharu Ekka and her children at Patratoli village of Tainsur panchayat under Lathikata block. On May 4, 2004, the plight of Nuni started when the daughter of a neighbourer fell ill. The villagers accused Nuni of being a witch and casting her ugly spell as the reason behind her sickness. Suspecting her practicing sorcery, irate villagers abused her and forced her to eat human excreta. They disrobed her and paraded her naked, besides finally having driven her out from the village.
“My husband had an affair with another woman and wanted to marry her. We had four children and when I objected him, he started spreading rumour that I was a witch who practiced black magic,” said Nuni. She said that her husband, Daharu, also left her and lived with another woman.
After knowing about the incident, the police had arrested some villagers. The district administration had promised Nuni of a job. But so far the promise remained a promise only.
When contacted, members of Legal Cell said they cannot provide any job to anybody until there is order from the court. “I still live in fear from the villagers and badly need to be rehabilitated,” said Nuni with a chocked voice.
According to sources, Nuni was a devout woman and used to perform pujas in her house but she was branded a witch.