http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7...0,00180008.htm
Bigotry in the name of witchcraft claimed another life in Jharkhand, this time of a woman who was blamed for the illness of another and was killed with an axe in front of her son.
Salge Hembram's son Jayram was not even allowed the mercy of taking his mother's body for last rites with people in Ranikunder village in Jamshedpur, 170 km from Ranchi, burning her to wipe out any evidence of the crime.
Though the incident occurred on Aug 8, Jayram could only report it to police a week later when the village was celebrating Independence Day on Aug 15.
Police said Jayram had been under close watch for the entire week.
Recounting the events leading up to the brutal murder, police said villagers made Salge responsible for the continuing illness of a man called Vikram. On Aug 7, Vikram's family asked her to cure him or face the consequences. When she pleaded innocence and said she was helpless, they slapped a fine of Rs.10,000 on her and gave her 24 hours to pay up.
She could not. And the next day, Salge was dragged to the panchayat with her son. The village elders turned a deaf ear to their pleas and she was hacked by an axe right in front of his eyes.
Though Jayram named six people in his complaint, police have so far arrested only one.
The killing of women after branding them witches is commonplace in Jharkhand. Over the years, more than 600 women have been killed after being labelled witches.
Salge Hembram's son Jayram was not even allowed the mercy of taking his mother's body for last rites with people in Ranikunder village in Jamshedpur, 170 km from Ranchi, burning her to wipe out any evidence of the crime.
Though the incident occurred on Aug 8, Jayram could only report it to police a week later when the village was celebrating Independence Day on Aug 15.
Police said Jayram had been under close watch for the entire week.
Recounting the events leading up to the brutal murder, police said villagers made Salge responsible for the continuing illness of a man called Vikram. On Aug 7, Vikram's family asked her to cure him or face the consequences. When she pleaded innocence and said she was helpless, they slapped a fine of Rs.10,000 on her and gave her 24 hours to pay up.
She could not. And the next day, Salge was dragged to the panchayat with her son. The village elders turned a deaf ear to their pleas and she was hacked by an axe right in front of his eyes.
Though Jayram named six people in his complaint, police have so far arrested only one.
The killing of women after branding them witches is commonplace in Jharkhand. Over the years, more than 600 women have been killed after being labelled witches.
Comment