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Elderly woman's face blackened, shoes tied around neck, paraded over suspicion of 'witchcraft'

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Regressive Practices  Crime against women  Himachal Pradesh  Sorcery  Sorceress  Witchcraft

 

 

 

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

SHIMLA/CHANDIGARH: An elderly woman's face was blackened, she was tortured and paraded by local residents who had accused her of involvement in 'witchcraft'.

Now, the police have arrested 21 persons in this regard. The woman, an 81-year-old, was beaten up and locals had paraded her around the town. They had tied footwear around her neck. 

The eldelry woman's kin later alleged that the residents, particular, a family, eyed her land and hence made a false allegation of her involvement in 'witchcraft' so that they should be forced out and her land be grabbed.

She was termed 'daayan' (witch). Even the attackers had cut her hair. The incident had occurred a few days ago in Samahal hamlet in Sarkaghat (Mandi district) in Himachal Pradesh. But it hit headlines after a video clip of the incident went viral.

When it was shared and people came to know about the torture inflicted on the elderly woman, the local authorities took it up seriously. The High Court and National Commission for Women also took cognizance. The state government also took a firm stand in this case.

The police subsequently swung into action. As many as 21 persons who were involved in the act--parading, assaulting and torturing her, have been booked and arrested. Further investigation is on in this regard. Others involved in the case would also be brought to books, said officials.