By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The growing scourge of superstition, which has repeatedly raised its ugly head in the recent times, is perhaps, currently, tormenting the society more than ever before. And the authorities are groping in the dark to contain the menace.
The shocking incident of a Mawrynkang villager being forced to eat human excreta after accusing him of practising witchcraft was followed up by an equally, if not more, offensive act of feeding dog excreta to one Halorsing Kharumnuid of Sohryngkham after levelling similar charges against him.
The latest incident makes it five reported cases pertaining to alleged practice of witchcraft in East Khasi Hills district.
Other than interventions of police, the social welfare and education departments with the support of NGOs and faith based organizations have not made any considerable efforts to launch awareness campaigns to end this recurring problem.
NEHU Professor, RN Saran said “This shows the level of education as we heard the stories about such incidents several centuries back but surprisingly these kind of incidents are taking place in the 21st century.”
Arch Bishop Rev Dominic Jala, while condemning recurrence of such incidents, said that it is a matter of educating people and instilling values of human dignity in them. “Some of these things are contrary to the respect we have for human being,” Jala said.
He also said that the church often talks to people on such superstitions which are not compatible to faith.
Referring to Sohryngkham incident, East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang informed that police have registered a case under different sections of the Indian Penal Code including Section 355 which speaks of assault or use of criminal force with an intent to dishonour a person and the person in question is liable for imprisonment for a term which may extend up to two years.
Nongthymmai legislator Jemino Mawthoh believes that a joint effort involving the district administration, law enforcing agencies and the community at large can be more constructive rather than passing a bill in the Assembly to tackle the menace. Parliamentary Secretary in-charge Social Welfare department, Justine Dkhar informed that his department along with Home Department has constituted a joint committee to check such practices.
He said that recently a joint meeting was held between two departments and several decisions were taken to tackle this menace.
