Kokrajhar, May 5: Various organisations, members of various civil societies, including the All Bodo Students Union (Absu), Bodo Samaj and NGOs demanded strict anti-witchhunt laws and tough action against those involved in the killing of innocent people on suspicion of practising witchcraft.

A social awareness campaign against witch-hunts was held at East Maligaon in Kokrajhar today, the village where Achinta Basumatary, a college student, was allegedly killed on April 22 after his family members were suspected of practicing witchcraft.

The meeting was organised by Absu and the Kokrajhar district administration to educate the public about the strict law against witch-hunt. It was attended by villagers and representatives from various organisations.

In his speech, Kokrajhar deputy commissioner M.P. Sarma said the killing of innocent people in the name of witch-hunting is never justified. He said there was nothing like a daini (witch), and slammed all superstitious beliefs, which have absolutely no basis.

Saying the law was strict against the people indulging in such practices, the deputy commissioner said a person would get minimum three years in jail if he/she termed anyone a witch and could be imprisoned for life.

Kokrajhar superintendent of police Shyamal Prasad Sarma said those involved in the killing of innocent people would not be spared. He said those involved in Achinta's killing would be arrested and punished according to the law.

Other speakers stressed the need for proper healthcare and quality education in villages and remote areas where superstitious beliefs are still prevalent.

They demanded compensation for the victims and their family members, and inclusion of the topic in the academic syllabus to create awareness on such superstitious beliefs.

Achinta, also known as Olla, a fourth-semester student of Kajalgaon UN Brahma College in Chirang district, was dragged out of his home by a few villagers on the night of April 22. His body was recovered from the bank of the Samokha river near Badrampur village in Kokrajhar on May 1.

Achinta's mother Gajrai was accused of being a witch five years ago after the death of her husband and was forced to leave her house last December. She has been living at her parents' house at Holmari in Gossaigaon subdivision.

The police have so far arrested three persons in this connection. Five others, Thombra Narzary, Gobinda Basumatary, Elen Narzary, Borai Basumatary and Sontola Basumatary, who were named in the FIR, are still on the run.

Witch-hunts have resulted in several deaths in Assam. Though various organisations are making a collective effort to eradicate the social evil, results are not forthcoming because of an alleged lack of initiative and strong action by the administration and the police.

The police said nearly 140 people have been killed in witch-hunts since 2002.

The state government last year submitted an anti-witchhunt bill draft legislation to check the menace.

The anti-witchhunt draft bill prepared by the government, which proposes punishment ranging from three years to life imprisonment, is said to be the strictest in the country so far.

Apart from stricter punishment for terming someone a witch and for physical, sexual or mental torture leading to suicide and displacement, the proposed legislation aims to check illegal practices by quacks.

The bill also proposes action against negligence in investigation, formation of special courts for trial of witch-hunting cases and free legal aid to victims, among other provisions.