After the State Government’s failure to give relief and compensation to the family members of five women lynched by a mob after being accused of practicing witchcraft in Mandar, a committee has been formed under the District legal Services Authority (DlSA) to look into the matter and provide immediate relief to them.
DlSA Chairman-cum-Principal Judicial Commissioner (JC) AV Singh, on Friday called a meeting with the family members to take stock of the situation so that justice could be done to all of them.
“Concerned with the safety and security of the family members of the victims who got killed in Mandar, the Principal Judicial Commissioner today called up the Ranchi SSP to get the matter investigated at the earliest and supervise the case personally so that justice could be done in the case,” said DlSA Secretary Rajni Kant Pathak.
According to Pathak, the Jharkhand State legal Services Authority (JHAlSA) had directed the DlSA to monitor the case so that there should not be single lacunae left on the basis of which any accused gets away without being prosecuted.
“JHAlSA also wanted that the victims’ families should get all kind of support and protection from the district administration so that all the facts related to case come before the court and a fair decision was taken by it.
Compensation eludes victims’ kin Besides, it also wanted that DlSA should provide all assistance to the family members in getting the benefits under Victims Compensation Act of 2012,” said Pathak.
“The DlSA has been authorised to look into the matter and direct the DC to provide them compensation as per the rules under the provisions of law,” said Pathak.
Meanwhile, the family members, during the meeting, demanded immediate arrest of those who have not been arrested so far and also addition of the names of some of other accused persons who were also involved in the killings but their names could not be included in the FIR.
The primary concern of the family members was that the police picket created in the villages should not be removed else they will be killed by the villagers who are looking for a chance to do so.
The Advocate appointed by the DlSA to pursue the case in the court was also directed by the PJC to personally visit the village to hear the grievances of the victims’ family members and submit a report by Monday. The PJC, however, assured that he will personally look into their grievances and see to it that what could be done in that regard.
Five women allegedly accused of practicing witchcraft, were mercilessly killed in Kanjia village with traditional arms by local youths on August 11. The women, who were allegedly branded as witches by the locals, could not be saved by their kin as the armed youths also attacked and threatened them for their lives.