NGO urges parties refer witchcraft killing issue in manifesto

Free Legal Aid Committee (FLAC), an NGO spearheading movement agaisnt witchcraft killing in Jharkhand, today demanded the political parties include the issue of "superstition and killing on suspicion of witches" in their election manifesto in ensuing assembly poll.
Observing the 15th anniversary of formulation of a Prevention of Witchcraft Hunting Act,1999 here, FLAC Chairman Premji admitted that it was not possible to check recurrent witchcraft killings unless the parties come forward.
Stating that poor and innocent tribals, who constitute 7.5 per cent of country's population, have deep rooted superstition, Premji told PTI that over 15 states were mired under prejudices.

A total of 36 women, branded as witch by their relatives or villagers, have been rehabilitated in FLAC's Kolabira centre in adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan till date and they were spearheading movement against the menace in the Kolhan division comprising of East and West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharswan district, Premji said.
Premji said there was no major change visible despite enacting a law in this regard as over 1300 poor and innocent tribal women were killed between 2000 till date against 522 between 1991-2000.