Sundargarh: In a shocking incident, a 55-yr-old woman was left battling for life after she was attacked with an axe by her neighbours on charges of practicing sorcery. With severe injuries on her head and torso, the woman was rescued and admitted to a local hospital.
She was then referred to Sundargarh district headquarters hospital (DHH) for further treatment after her condition worsened. She has been identified as Dukhi Baria.
The heinous incident was reported from Pamara village under Bargaon police station of this district.
According to sources, the elderly woman lived with her family. Her neighbours Rama Nayak and his family suspected her of practicing sorcery after their kin fell ill. Their suspicion increased as there was no heal despite medical treatment and medicines.
In an act of revenge, they hatched a plan to attack her. Finding her alone, Nayak along with his daughter attacked her with an axe. Soon, other family members of Nayak also instigated the two and joined in the attack.
Hearing the screams, Dukhi’s family members rushed to the spot and rescued her. While Nayak and his family member claimed of attacking the woman for practicing witchcraft and held her responsible for the illness, the elderly woman’s family claimed that the pre-planned attack was over previous enmity.
A previous enmity prevailed between Nayak’s family and the elderly woman over some reasons. So, they attacked her in a pre-planned manner, Dukhi’s kin alleged.
On receipt of information, a police team reached the village and launched a probe. Police detained Nayak, his wife, son and daughter for interrogation.
Even as the government and administration has been creating public awareness against the superstitious act in remote village and involving school students in campaigns, there seems to be need to such heinous acts.
Similarly, the Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act was passed in 2013. However, there has been no decrease in witchcraft killing cases.
Bargaon IIC said that the police would take up the case and launch a probe.
Earlier, a woman and her daughter were rendered critical after they were attacked by fellow villagers who suspected the duo of indulging in sorcery in a village under this police limits.
PNN