Gogoi says draft bill on witch-hunting ready

Guwahati:  Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the state Home department has prepared a draft bill to prevent witch-hunting and protect persons subjected to atrocities and physical and mental harassment under it.
The new law would give more teeth to the law enforcing agencies compared to the existing penal provisions to deal with the menace, he said while chairing a law and order meeting held here.
As per the new law, terming, accusing and causing physical and mental harassment to anybody in the name of being a witch would be treated as a cognisable offence and punishment for the offence would amount to minimum three years of sentence or even to life imprisonment.
Suggestions have also been made to impose community fine. (PTI)