Post News Network
Keonjhar, July 16: Even as the spine-chilling killings of six persons of a family over witchcraft in Joda area of Keonjhar district rocked the whole state, neither the administration nor the non-governmental organisations are keen to disabuse the public psyche in the tribal dominated district.
According to sources, 24 persons were brutally killed in 15 incidents of sorcery in the district over last three years. Many more instances might have gone unreported. Even though the government has enacted a number of stringent rules to check sorcery-related crimes, the number of murders is growing.
As many as eight people were killed this year. A couple was killed in Digapashi village under Patna block in the district a few months ago.
In 2013 and 2014, there are at least 13 instances of murder over sorcery.
The most brutal incident was in November 28, 2014, when a couple was killed, a minor girl was gang-raped and two other minor girls attacked by people who suspected their involvement in practising sorcery. A total of 10 people were killed in 2014 in seven instances. Six were murdered in 2013.
In last two years, there are five instances of double murder involving couples.
A group of villagers murdered Duna Munda of Alughati village under Harichandanpur police station in March 24, 2014 and six were arrested in this connection. Two were arrested in Beganadihi village under Nayakote police station for killing Jana Munda June 16 last year. Radhu Sannagi was murdered August 17 at Kuanr village under Kanjipani police station and three were arrested later.
Ten persons were arrested for killing Rajendra Dehury and his wife Dema Dehury in Saharpur village in October 10, 2014.
Mangal Munda and his wife Shukumuni Munda were killed October 21 last year in Kolha Hundula village under Joda police station and five people were arrested in this connection. In the same incident, a minor girl was gangraped.
Raibari Munda of Balita village was murdered and the body was thrown away in a jungle November 11 last year. Police arrested one in this connection.
Two persons were arrested on charge of murdering Susmita Gopa in Chatei hutting under Barbil police station February 23, 2013. Four persons were arrested in connection with the murder of Galu Sannagi in June 15, 2013.
Police arrested two people involved in the murder of Shukumani Munda in Tentulinanda village July 3, 2013. Three were arrested July 28 for killing Baduni Munda of Jamitra village under Bamebari police station. Deula Murmu of Daitari under Daitari police station was murdered November 20, 2013 and two persons were arrested in this connection. Sadabani Ho was killed November 28, 2013 in Bankhidi village and one was arrested in this connection.
Though there are a number of sorcery-related crimes, only murder cases are reported. Most of the other crimes like breaking of teeth, force-feeding with human excreta, tonsuring and social ostracisation go unreported.
Sorcery-related crimes are rampant in Banshapal, Telkoi, Harichandanpur, Joda, Champua and Ghatgaon areas.
When contacted, additional superintendent of police Dipti Ranjan Ray termed sorcery as a social disease. He said the victims should inform the police at the initial stage when they were tortured so that police can take measures to check instances of murder.
