BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought for an action taken report from Odisha’s chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) on alleged failure in acting on practice of human sacrifice, sorcery, black magic and witchcraft in the state.
The Commission issued this notice on Friday after hearing a petition filed by human rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy. He alleged that the problems arising out of superstitions are continuing in the state due to failure, negligence and inaction of the state government.
Citing a recent case of human sacrifice of a minor boy in Angul district, Tripathy requested the NHRC to ensure justice to the victims and their families with a permanent solution of the heinous practice. He has cited a number of similar cases that occurred recently in the state.
He alleged that the root cause of these barbaric acts is negligence on part of the state officials in implementing the Odisha Prevention of Witch-hunting Act, 2013. “Though the police are carrying out anti-witchcraft campaigns from time to time, it fails to yield the desired result,” he added.
Around 400 people have been killed in the state since 2014 on suspicion of performing sorcery and witchcraft. This number was more than 540 between 2000 and 2014. “Deaths, injuries and social boycotts in connection with witchcraft related cases are continuing in the state. Earlier, the NHRC has intervened in several cases on the issues related to sorcery and witchcraft,” said the petitioner.
Expressing concern over the incidents of murders and heinous acts on suspicion of sorcery and witchcraft, he requested the Commission to take necessary steps towards a permanent solution of the issue. The NHRC sought for an action taken report from the authorities within a period of four weeks.
