Rajasthan government moves to curb witchcraft in districts

JAIPUR: The social justice and empowerment department has directed district collectors to strictly enforce the Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act of 2015 in their districts. The department has also drafted a multipronged strategy to fight this menace.

It has asked collectors to identify the pockets in their districts where the practice of witchcraft is still prevalent and launch special campaigns against the social evil and initiate schemes for the rehabilitation of victims.

Additional chief secretary, social justice and empowerment, J C Mohanty said a model frame work was being formulated to tackle this menace which is still in vogue at least in some pockets of the state. "The district collectors and district superintendents of police have been directed to identify the 'tantriks' and keep a watch on their activities. Local police stations also have to make a list of such people by December this year," he said.

The department has identified 14 most sensitive districts where the practice of witchcraft is still prevalent. They are Jaipur, Bundi, Tonk, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jhalawar, Kota, Pratapgarh, Banswara, Sawai Madhopur and Dungarpur.

The department has also decided to launch a campaign at the grassroots level against this inhuman practice in collaboration with local NGOs, community liaison groups (CLG), adult literacy programmes, women self-help groups (SHGs) and people's representatives.

Another important aspect is the rehabilitation of the victims and providing support systems. The allotment of housing plots, medical care, power, water, pension, etc., will be provided to them under existing schemes.

Mohanty said the state legal services authority has also been roped in to provide legal aid to victims, help in speedy trial and conviction apart from creating awareness about the legal help available to them.