Stern steps needed to curb crimes over suspected witchcraft

Stern steps are needed to be taken to arrest the rising number of crimes against people over the allegations of practising witchcraft, a senior government official has said.

At least five people have been killed and three people forced to consume human excreta in separate incidents in Jharkhand in the past one month.

State government Special Secretary Ramakant Singh, during a weekly 'Jan Samvad' meeting here on Tuesday, called for swift action in cases pertaining to attacks over suspected witchcraft so that it acts as deterrent against the practise.

His instruction came after a woman alleged at the programme that some people have been harassing her by accusing her of practising witchcraft.

She said no action has been taken against the alleged harassers despite her lodging an FIR against them with Bengawad police station in Giridih district, an official release said.

Additional Inspector General Shams Tabrez, who was also present at the 'Jan Samvad', asked the Giridih deputy superintendent of police to arrest the accused at the earliest to send a strong message against leveling of such allegations.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das has introduced 'Jan Samvad' to hear out the complaints of the citizens and address their grievances.