Balasore, Jan. 4: The residents of Udala block in Mayurbhanj have ostracised a family on charges of indulging in witchcraft. They have also demanded that the family members pay Rs 20,000 as fine.
The victim family members were allegedly threatened that they would be stripped and paraded on the village street if they did not pay the fine. The incident was reported from Kutling under Udala police station limits.
Udala sub-collector Sanat Mohanty said: 'A team comprising the local inspector in charge, child development project officer and block development officer (BDO) have visited the village and tried to diffuse the tension. The inquiry report is yet to be received.'
'The BDO has been asked to look after the security and safety of the family,' he added.
Inspector in charge of Udala police station Laita Modi said following the deaths of some villagers as well as their livestock, the villagers had performed had a puja to ward off evils from the village. The village had also decided not eat non-vegetarian food on a particular day. However, the victim family had consumed chicken on that day and this had created tension.
The victim family comprises Jaladhar Khandei, 60, his wife, three daughters and a son. Jaladhar's wife works as a cook at the local anganwadi centre. The villagers even did not let her perform her duty.
The villagers said that the family members of one Harihar Khandei had become insane one after the other. A few people had died recently in the village. Some cattle had also died. Consequently, the people had consulted a witch doctor who had accused Jaladhar's family and asked the villagers to perform a special puja.
A Rs 500 subscription was collected from each household for meeting the cost of puja. Besides, a soil sample was collected from Jaladhar's house to test whether the family was into witchcraft or not. After the puja was performed on December 28, the village committee ordered the family to pay Rs 20,000 as penalty. Although the police confirmed the receipt of complaint, but no case had been registered.
