GUWAHATI: Members of the state legislative assembly have asked the government to generate strong awareness against widespread acts of witch-hunting and other superstitious practices on February 2.
The members of the state have also requested the government to frame policies for providing financial support to the families of the victims and survivors of these practices, which have claimed the lives of at least 161 people in the past 18 years.
In response to this request, Pramila Rani Brahma, the state Social Welfare Minister said that the government is considering the option of giving out financial assistance to the families of victims. She urged MLAs to back NGOs that have been fighting these social evils and said that the social welfare department is working with the Assam State Women’s Commission to create awareness among the people. SInce it is primarily a law and order issue, the police needs to take action regarding the matter. She added that the department is taking steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Brahma also informed that a total of 133 cases of witch-hunting have been registered across the state since 2001. The torment of witch-hunting has been rampant in 17 districts of the state, with Kokrajhar reporting the most number of incidents which includes 45 deaths. It is followed by Chirang with 24 deaths and Goalpara with 17 deaths. 15 people have been killed in Tinsukia and Udalguri districts, 10 in Nagaon, eight in Sonitpur and six in the Karbi Anglong district in June of last year, said Brahma.
In speaking to the matter, opposition Congress legislator, Durga Bhumji alleged that the social welfare and home departments are not doing their jobs seriously. She demanded that the state government come out with policies to support the families of victims.
