One has heard of expo fair, agro fair, industrial fair, book fair. But ever heard of a ghost fair ( Bhoot Mela)! The fair focuses on curative aspect more than spreading any more belief in supernaturalism said sources. Palamu has a history of violence against women brandishing them as practising witch by the rich and the poor alike for ailments like death of an ox or son even!
In the left wing extremist hit and poverty stricken Palamu this Bhoot Mela is held every Ramnavmi. It is held in Palamu’s Haidernagar about 98 kilometers away from Daltonganj. Articles like incense stick, broom black chicken etc are sold enormously. Bouts of mental unsoundness here is diagnosed as ill effects of bhoot !
Sources said hysteric women and girls outnumber the male ones here where a big fleet of enchanters claim to drive away the ghosts. The husbands bring in their wives claiming they are visited upon by the ghosts! The enchanter does all from reciting scriptures to broom beating. None of the naxal outfits has ever caused any hindrance to this 12 day long mela. Sources said this mela which draws on an average 10,000 visitors has always passed off peacefully as extremists too dread ghosts coming to them said one visitor who refused to give his name.
However the DSP Hussainabad under which comes Haidernagar N Khan said six chowkidars keep vigil at night and other batch of 6 keep vigil in the day besides regular police patrolling in the mela. Khan said visitors come here from far off places like Chhatisgarh, UP and Bihar. The DSP agreed that so long this ghost fair is on the Haidernagar police remain utmost vigilant as visitors men, women girls, elderly people spend nights in the open. This Bhoot Mela is on for century here said elders. Here freedom from ghost is assured. Sources said visitors from lower income group throng here most