Berhampur: As many as eight families of Ulapur village under Chikiti block in Ganjam district were left in lurch for past several months after they were ostracised by the villagers over suspected sorcery.
The families claimed threat to their lives and demanded safety. However, no steps have been taken to rehabilitate the families, it was learnt.
According to the victims, some villagers were affected by an unknown disease in the village. The villagers accused these families of practicing sorcery and spreading the disease.
A village meeting was called in this connection and the committee decided to socially boycott the eight families. The victims were asked to vacate the village.
However, when they stayed back to take care of their ancestral land and properties, the villagers barred them from using public properties. The families are not allowed to attend religious programmes and functions in the village. Moreover, they are deprived of drinking water, road facilities and other things from the village.
Moreover, no one is allowed to talk to these families. The villagers put penalty on whosoever talks to them or provides them work. Similarly, no one comes to work for them.
Although the families had earlier lodged a complaint with local police no steps were taken in this regard. Later, the families approached the District Collector and narrated their ordeal. In the absence of the DM, additional SP Shantunu Das heard their pleas and assured them help.
He then directed the local tehsildar and K Nuagaon IIC to look into the matter.
PNN
