By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: On suspicion of practicing black magic and witchcraft, one Johnson Marak of Joiram village in Balat, East Khasi Hills was threatened and allegedly driven away from the village by the villagers of Joiram recently.
The victim, Johnson Marak who is currently taking shelter in Shillong was forced to leave the village and his family behind by some superstitious villagers on April 28 after he was accused of practicing black magic on some of the villagers.
Briefing the press in Shillong here on Wednesday, advocate of the Mulor Association (Association of Garo Headmen in East Khasi Hills), PK Bora said the superstitious beliefs of the people of Joiram is highly dangerous as it could amount to claiming the life of a person.
Bora informed that in this connection , the victim with the support of the Mulor Association filed an FIR with the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills AR Mawthoh here on Wednesday.
“The SP immediately interrogated the matter and informed us that the family of the victim is safe in their own village and no harm has been done to them” Bora said adding that the SP has assured them of security while instructing two deputy superintendents of police to accompany the victim to the village on Thursday to conduct enquiry.
Narrating the incident, Bora said on December last year, the victim was severely attacked by three local villagers who were in an inebriated condition—Hiral Sangma, Lebet Sangma and Enus Sangma.
“Recently, one of the attackers, Hiral Sangma fell sick due to some orthepaedic problem but however blamed that the sickness was caused due to some magic spell by Johnson Marak”, Bora said.
On hearing the news, the villagers reacted violently and came with dao, spear, rod and sticks led by Sitis Sangma and dragged the victim to the school ground and attempted to kill the victim but somehow, he escaped through the jungle.
“The funny part is that the villagers were led to belief based on the false statement of five women of the village—Sesilia Sangma, Margina Marak, Pronali Arength, Rabina Sangma and Seta Marak who claimed to have seen the victim in their dreams, cursing and practicing witchcraft on people leading to their ill health and even death”, Bora said.
Meanwhile, Secretary of the Mulor Association CD Sangma stated that the association has apprised the matter to the headman of Joiram village who was also the member of the association whereby a meeting was convened on April 28 at that village which was attended by more than 100 people including women.
However, after much persuasion, the headman was sidelined by the villagers who instead threatened the association members and the victim whereby they were forced to leave the premises immediately.
Moreover, the association’s secretary has also alleged that the officer in charge of Dangar Balet Police Out Post, Martin Marak also the son of Sitis Sangma, was also involved in harassing Johnson Marak stating that the officer was instigating the villagers to take steps to kill the victim, assuring that if any case arises against them, he will take care of it. The victim has urged the concerned authorities to take serious action against Sitis Sangma, Martin Sangma and some villagers for threatening, harassing and manhandling him over superstitious belief spurred by dreams of few women of the village.