Dasmantpur: Members of four families in this block of Koraput district, who have been facing social boycott for the last five years, Friday approached the police seeking justice. The families even warned of committing suicide if they are denied justice.
The families of Nanda Saunta, Sundru Saunta, Dana Saunta and Lima Saunta of Tikira Guda village in Gadia Guda panchayat were ostracised by some of their fellow villagers on the suspicion that they were practicing sorcery, it was learnt.
Earlier, they were kept out of all social celebrations and religious festivals but now they are being threatened to vacate the village otherwise they would be killed, the victims stated in their complaints with the police. There were instances of assault on them and the same were published in various newspapers. However, the administration is yet to take any action against the accused.
According to the ostracised families, some people in the village who prepare country liquor are the culprits.
The accused Budu Saunta, Rengu, Jhadu, Basa and Kruti Saunta often hold the victims responsible in case any villager suffers from common illness such as fever and dysentery. Alleging the practice of sorcery and witchcraft, the accused had on several occasions damaged their houses. Fearing for their lives, the family of Dana Saunta, another resident, left the village August 9.
As they have already lodged a complaint with police, the accused may assault them on their way to the village. Hence, they won’t return home until they get justice. They would prefer to commit mass suicide than returning home, threatened the victims.
The reaction of the police couldn’t be taken in this regard.
PNN
