By Express News Service
20 Feb 2010 08:46:27 AM IST
Sorcery: 5 of family paraded naked
BALASORE: Five members of a Dalit family in Chaturipada village under
Nilagiri block here were allegedly stripped and paraded naked before
being beaten up mercilessly by a group of villagers who suspected them
of practicing sorcery.
Police today have initiated an investigation into the allegations.
Though the incident took place on Wednesday night it came to the fore
only last evening when the victims lodged a complaint with police
seeking justice.
The victims Ramachandra Tudu (46), wife Chudamani (40), daughter
Basanti and sons Bhima and Bishnu have sought police protection.
Ramachandra alleged that a group of villagers accused him and his wife
of practicing witchcraft and dragged them out of their home at about
10 pm.
"We were stripped naked and paraded before being beaten mercilessly.
They were armed with our traditional weapons and though we pleaded
innocence, none came forward to help," he said. The family later took
shelter at a relative's house in nearby village before coming to the
police station.
Police said it all started when the villagers came to know that
Ramachandra was cutting wood in his orchard when a group of persons
from a nearby village were on a visit to one Dulla Hembram's house to
finalise his daughter's marriage.
"People in Santali tribe believe it a bad omen if someone does any
activity like cutting wood when a marriage is being finalised.
They don't allow cattle to graze and stop speaking to each other. They
also ban plying of bikes, vehicles or even a cycle as they consider it
bad omen," said OIC of Berhampur police station SN Das. The villagers
had imposed a fine of Rs 5000 and ostracised the family when they
failed to pay the amount.
On the day of the incident, Ramachandra conducted a puja in his house
which added fuel to the fire leading to the attack. Police have
registered a case. The accused are absconding and efforts are on to
nab them.
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