Balangir, Dec. 23: Villagers of Chalki in the Saintala police station limits have ostracised and driven away Alekh Majhi and his family from the village on charge of sorcery on one Bhagaban Majhi.

Now, the family is staying in a relative’s house at Khutulimunda village in the Loisingha police station limits.

Alekh’s son Balagobinda Majhi on Sunday lodged a written complaint about the incident before the Balangir additional superintendent of police.

Sources said Bhagaban Majhi had injured himself as he fell down in his house. However, instead of going for medical treatment he went to a quack at Ghunsar village. The quack told him that it was a case of witchcraft. As Bhagaban continued to neglect in treatment his injury worsened. Bhagaban went to another quack, this time a black magician Manchand Selma of Khujenpali village. Selma allegedly told him that it was case of witchcraft and one Kishori, wife of Alekh Majhi of his village was practising sorcery on him.

On returning Bhagaban mobilised the villagers against Alekh and his family. The villagers convened two meetings where Bhagaban and his son Bishi threatened Alekh and his family to leave the village or face music. “I felt humiliated as they called my wife a witch and asked us to leave the village,” he said.

Alekh’s son Balagobinda said his family had problem with black magician Manchand Selma over a piece of land. “May be he is provoking the villagers to take revenge upon our family,” he said.

Balangir additional superintendent of police P.K. Patra said he had instructed Saintala police to inquire into the case. “Anyone found guilty will be severely dealt with,” he said.