Manju S. Hembrom at the workshop. Pix: Mani Keshri

Dumka, Dec. 28: A workshop held here today called for introduction of amendments in the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to curb witch hunting in the state.

Manju S. Hembrom, a member of National Women’s Commission, came to address the workshop on “Women and Property” organised by Badlab Foundation, a Mihijam (Jamtara)-based NGO fighting for the cause of women.

The workshop focused on customary laws in tribal societies in the state, which do not allow women to have ownership rights of landed property. Speakers at the workshop alleged the tradition customary system in the tribal societies for encouraging gender discrimination.

In her address, Hembrom said the Section 20 of the act allows any individual to gift landed property to any of his close female relatives, wife, sister, daughter or mother. “But in practice, the women in tribal societies here do not have right over any landed property.”

Pointing to several examples of women being deprived of property rights, Hembrom observed: “These also help bring forth various cases of atrocity like witch hunting and other forms of torture from remote parts of the state. We propose the implementation of the Section 20, but for that we need to conduct awareness drives first.”

The NWC member said anti-witchcraft laws provide for a penalty of Rs 2,000 and six months’ imprisonment to any person involved in witch hunting/abuse cases. “The present punishment is not sufficient for such a heinous crime,” she observed. “The commission would recommend the agencies concerned to introduce an amendment in the law to increase the quantum of punishment in such cases,” she said.

Hembrom also expressed concern over the lack of awareness, especially among women of the region. She said the commission has so far received very few complaints related to atrocities committed against women from the area.