Berhampur: After meeting a family that has been banished from its own village for allegedly practicing black magic in Nua Gochhabadi village under Jagannathprasad block of Ganjam district, district Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange Friday directed Jagannathprasad police to ensure their safe return.
Khadal Gaud, the victim, alleged that the villagers had blamed his family for practicing black magic and driven them away from the village after locking his house down. The incident occurred about four months ago.
Even though he had been running pillar to post to get justice, all — including the police and the district administration — had turned a deaf ear to his complaint. No steps were taken for their safe return to the village even after the family knocked the court’s door and the court, in turn, directed the administration to provide security to the family.
Seeing no help coming on his way, Khadal and his family members staged a sit-in at the Collector’s office Friday. It worked as Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange called the family in and gave it a patient ear.
Apart from directing the police to take steps for their safe return to their village, the Collector also directed Jagannathprasad tehsildar to send a team to the village to create awareness against superstition and till then arrange temporary rehabilitation for the family.
PNN