Witch hunting cases show a rise in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR:  Odisha Crime Branch (CB) on Friday informed that 99 cases of witch hunting were registered in the State in 2017 compared to 83 in 2016 and 58 in 2015. According to CB officers, maximum number of witch hunting cases were registered in Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur and Keonjhar districts. Crime Branch ADG Santosh Upadhyay pointed out that murder cases related to witch hunting in the State had, however, declined in 2017 compared to 2016. “About 18 murder cases related to witch hunting were registered in 2017 against 25 in 2016,” Upadhyay told The Express.

“Witch hunting cases were earlier being registered under various Sections of IPC only. But, from the last few years, such cases are being registered under Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act, 2013,” Upadhyay said. CB officers have also uploaded the 2017 circular issued by the Home Department regarding the composite action plan to prevent witch hunting in the State.

Meanwhile, the State Commission for Women has decided to launch a special drive in Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Keonjhar, and other districts for creating awareness on witch hunting crime.
“Witch hunting still exists due to lack of education among people, particularly in tribal areas,” said acting chairperson of National Commission for Women, Rekha Sharma during the national convention on ‘Emerging Challenges of Violence Against Women such as Witch Hunting and Cyber Crime’ organised by Odisha State Commission for Women here.

“The incidents of witch hunting have come to light in Mayurbhanj and Rayagada, among other districts. Single, marginalised and uneducated women are mostly vulnerable to such crimes. We should frame strategies to educate and sensitise people about witch hunting menace and connect tribals with the mainstream,” she said.