Keonjhar: Suspicion of witchcraft and superstitious practices have claimed many innocent lives in mineral-rich and tribal-dominated Keonjhar district in the past. Even today, such gruesome incidents still happen despite implementation of Odisha Witchcraft Prevention Act 2013 and awareness campaigns.
To curb such abominable practices, Keonjhar police have hit upon a novel idea: A memorial for those killed on suspicion of practicing sorcery.
DGP RK Sharma unveiled the memorial Wednesday in the presence of DIG (Rourkela) Kabita Jalan, Collector Ashish Thakre, SP Jayram Pankaj at a ceremony held at Police Reserve Ground.
Besides police officials, family members of the sorcery victims, social activists, officials of the police administration, members of SHGs, ASHAs and Aganwadi workers were present at the event.
They paid floral tributes to the victims.
Speaking on the occasion, the DGP said in addition to the memorial, an awareness drive aimed at curbing cases of sorcery- related crime would be undertaken in the district.
He said, “Sachetanata Raths (vehicles for awareness) will move in villages to create awareness against such social evil. Only laws will not solve the problems. Steps are being taken to enforce the laws at the grassroots level. ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, SHG members, will help end such heinous acts. Such step will be taken in other affected districts.”
Police sources said, between 2016 and 2018, a total of 51 criminal cases related to witchcraft and superstitions with 22 deaths have been reported in the district.
Year-wise, the cases and deaths are as follows: 2016 – 16, deaths 5; 2017 –17, fatalities 5; 2018 -18, victims 12.
Such cases keep happening in seven districts.
PNN