RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, July 6: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rahul Sinha today flagged off an awareness chariot at the collectorate premises for the eradication of witchcraft in the district.
The chariot, which is equipped with audio messages, will visit major square-intersections and markets of all the blocks of the district.
While flagging off the chariot, DC Sinha said that under the Witchcraft Act 2001 the step was taken. He said that work will be done to make people aware about witchcraft by giving information about Witchcraft Act 2001 through chariots in remote areas of the district.
He said with mutual cooperation and awareness evil practices may be stopped. One should, he said, inform the nearest police station in case any information of witch- hunting comes to his or her knowledge.
Under the Witchcraft Prohibition Act- 2001, he said, whoever identifies a woman as a witch and acts against such identification by any of his act, word or manner, there is a provision of imprisonment for a maximum period of three months or a fine of one thousand rupees or both.
In the event of witnessing or unknowingly inciting or conspiring or aiding other person or members of the society to identify a woman as a witch, he said, there is a provision of punishment with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Those present on the occasion included district social welfare officer Shweta Bharti and CDPOs and other personnel.
Witch hunting is a major problem in Jharkhand, with an estimated 60 to 70 killings committed in the name of witchcraft each year. More than 1050 incidences of witch- hunting violence have been reported to the police since 2015.
