Bhubaneswar, Aug. 25: Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has asked various government departments to furnish compliance reports on the steps taken to curb the superstitious practice of witch-hunt.

The directive of the rights panel came in response to a petition by human rights activists Biswapriya Kanungo and Bijay Kumar Panda.

The petitioners had expressed concern over the growing incidents of witch-hunt violence despite the Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act being in effect to put to an end the social evil.

OHRC acting chairperson Justice B.K. Mishra issued notices to home, women and child welfare and ST and SC development & minorities backward class welfare departments and fixed September 16 as the next date of the hearing.

The petitioners said witch hunting and black magic had claimed 192 lives in 2014- 2017 with Keonjhar district recording the highest number of murders - 49. In most of the cases, women have been victims.

Odisha Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act makes witch hunt illegal. But such practices continue to exist.

People are beaten up and even killed on suspicion of practising witchcraft. Also, there are instances of victims being tortured and socially ostracised. Most of the cases go unreported.

"The government agencies have been trying to make the people aware through campaigns. But perhaps, the campaigners also lack sincerity. The campaigns need to be sustained and more proactive," said Odisha Rationalist Society secretary Debendra Sutar.

In July, seven murders related to witch-hunt had been reported in the state. The number of deaths this year has already touched 25, he said.

There are also instances of influential and literate people using the excuse of sorcery on gullible villagers to settle personal grudges and enmity.