Keonjhar: Despite the rapid modernisation that the state is witnessing, various superstitions and blind beliefs are acting as huge hindrances. With people in rural pockets of the district being firm believers in witchcraft, black magic and sorcery, development to a certain extent has been stalled.
The prevalence of superstition and blind beliefs is amply demonstrated by the fact that people turn to sorcerers to get cured of diseases. Branding of children with hot iron rods to drive out the ‘evil’ from their souls is another common method.
On many occasions mobs have lynched people allegedly involved in witchcraft and sorcery. Recently, two tribals were lynched as they were allegedly practicing black magic at Nayagarh village under Bamebari police limits in the district. Though the culprits have been nabbed, the lives of two people have been lost.
But this is not an isolated incident in the district. There has been constant rise in witch-hunting cases. Eight cases of lynching and murder have so far been registered in 2019; 13 in 2018 and eight in 2017 according to the statistics given by the police. The interiors of the district, densely populated with tribals, are the worst-hit areas.
To stop the menace of witch-hunting, the locals have asked the district administration to start an awareness campaign. They have also urged the state government to provide financial support to the families of witch-hunting victims.
To discourage witch-hunting, former Director General of Police (DGP) RP Sharma had unveiled a memorial for witch-hunt victims inside the premises of the SP office here. He also launched a special awareness programme to prevent witch-hunting in future. But these steps have failed to have the desired results.
This year also there have been eight cases of witch-hunting so far. The district officials are hoping that it will remain less than the 13 registered last year. The officials are hoping that awareness campaigns and strict implementation of the law will have the desired results. But most importantly people will have to shed their superstitions if witch-hunting is to stop completely.
PNN