MANOJ SINHA
Ramgarh, June 27: Under the social evil prevention scheme, a one-day workshop was organized on Tuesday at Panchayat Bhawan, Ichatu of Dulmi block under Ramgarh district. Villagers and others present in the workshop were made aware of the witchcraft practice and its prevention, in relation to the Prohibition of Witchcraft Act 2001. In order to give information about the benefits of the girl child, the villagers were motivated to take advantage of the Pradhan Mantri Matrutva Vandana Yojana and other schemes.
As per witch identification prohibition and laws, if any person identifies any other person as a ‘witch’ and by any act, word or manner acts against that identification, he shall be punished 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.
As per laws regarding punishment for torture- if any person, who knowingly subjects any woman to be a witch, causes physical or mental torture to her, willfully or otherwise, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees or shall be punished with both.
Any person who intentionally or unintentionally instigates, conspires or aids another person or members of the public to identify a woman as a ‘witch’, who causes harm to that woman, shall be punished 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.
As per the act regarding the treatment of witch- any woman who has been identified as a witch, who causes physical or mental harm or torture, does any act for the treatment of her by ‘exorcism’ or ‘totka’, then she will be punished for one year, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.
All offences under this Act are cognizable and non-bailable as per the procedure of trial.
