Jharkhand: DDC flags off ‘Prachar Rath’ as Palamu records 47 witch-hunt cases this year

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Daltonganj, Dec. 5: Deputy Development Commissioner Ravi Anand, District Social Welfare Officer Neeta Chouhan and others today flagged off a ‘Prachar Rath’ for the eradication of ‘Dayn Pratha’ (witchcraft).

It is to create awareness among the populace that there is no witch power and people should not believe in any form of witchcraft.

Notably, the remote places in Palamu are plagued with the menace of witchcraft. A total of 47 cases under the Prevention of the Witchcraft Act have been registered with the various police stations in Palamu this year so far.

Widows most vulnerable

Sources said widows having property specially landed ones are most vulnerable to being branded as a witch.

This ‘Prachar Rath’ will play an audio cassette reminding people in the village haats, village market, and street corners that there is an Act for the prevention of witchcraft and if anyone tries to identify any man or woman as a necromancer or a witch is most liable to be prosecuted under this Act where there is fine and imprisonment and both.

Death of any domestic animal be it goat, cow, calf, ox etc is attributed to the evil eyes cast on it and then the man or the woman is hounded to have caused such a death.

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This Prachar Rath will tell people that no animal can die if someone looks at it.

About three years ago in Palamu, there happened a very unfortunate road accident wherein the groom and his father died on the spot.

A man who was a part of the groom’s baraat party was beaten to death by the co-baraatis on suspicion of his black magic leading to the death of the groom and his father!

Educated people too promote superstition

Sources said there are educated people too who ask silly questions like– did you pass through any old dark tree? or have you come across any lizard in your living room or have you sneezed when food was served etc. Their silliness promotes superstition.

DDC Ravi Anand, district social welfare officer Neeta Chouhan and district co-ordinator Zishan flagging off the Prachar Rath in the Palamu collectorate today.