Sambalpur: Members of the family of a deceased youth kept his body at their home for around 23 hours performing rituals with the hope that he will come back to life.
The incident took place at Nuasahi village under Redhakhole police limits in Sambalpur district, officials said Friday. The deceased was identified as Biren Kanhar, 22, son of Bahadur Kanhar.
Biren had breathed his last Thursday evening. The incident once again proves that despite India landing on the moon, superstition still continues to grip many parts of the country.
Biren was undergoing treatment at Redhakhole hospital where the doctors declared him dead Thursday. However, instead of taking his body for cremation, his family members brought it home.
Sources said that Biren’s family had a tiff with one of their neighbours a few days back. The latter then had threatened Biren’s family that he will use witchcraft and black magic to take revenge.
As luck would have been, Biren fell sick a few days back. When doctors failed to cure him, Biren’s family suspected witchcraft. So even after doctors pronounced him dead at the hospital, his family observed certain rituals with the hope that he will come back to life.
On being informed, police reached Biren’s house. They placated Biren’s family and finally persuaded them to take his body for cremation. However, the entire incident once again demonstrated how people still cling to superstitious beliefs and rituals in the state.
PNN