BALANGIR WITCH HUNTING: SP ASKED TO FILE REPORT Wednesday, 11 June 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

BALANGIR WITCH HUNTING: SP ASKED TO FILE REPORT

Wednesday, 11 June 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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TThe National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the district Superintendent of Police to submit the action taken report (ATR) within eight weeks on the issue of harassment meted out to a woman by fellow villagers suspecting her to be practicing sorcery.

Notably, Kesari Majhi (40) of Laterbahal Chalki village under Muribahal block had been ostracised from the village on charge of practicing sorcery. The incident was reported in The Pioneer in December last year.After publication of the news, a complaint was filed by The Pioneer's Balangir correspondent with the NHRC, seeking justice to the victim. 

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WOMAN THREATENED FOR SUSPECTED SORCERY IN BALANGIR Monday, 23 December 2013 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

WOMAN THREATENED FOR SUSPECTED SORCERY IN BALANGIR

Monday, 23 December 2013 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Even though the Odisha Legislative Assembly passed Odisha Prevention of Witch-Hunting Bill recently to protect women from being attacked on suspicion of practicing witchcraft, reports of a rural woman facing threats and hiding herself from co-villagers has come in, to the dismay of many.

According to reports, Kesari Majhi (40) of Laterbahal Chalki village under Muribahal block was forced to leave her village along her family members as she was allegedly practicing sorcery. Villagers have alleged that one Bhagaban Majhi of the village met with an accident due to her witchcraft practice.

Much to the bad luck of the woman, few months later a child of the village died due to some reason but it was connected to the alleged witchcraft practice by Keshari. A sorcerer of the region reportedly blamed Kesari for Bhagaban’s accident and the child’s death.

“Although, there is no evidence against me, Bhagaban’s accident and the child’s death slur was put on me. Bhagabana’s family members have threatened to eliminate me and my family members,” Kesari told mediapersons here in shivering voice. She said she has come along with her husband Alekha Majhi and two children to seek protection from police.

When contacted, ASP PA Patra said he has directed Inspector-in-charge of Saintala police station to inquire into the matter.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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