MAHOTTARI, DEC 11 - Her neighbours forcibly fed Pamfa Devi, 70 of Jaleshwor with a mixture of human and animal excreta some months ago accusing her of practising witchcraft. They also beat her black and blue in the process.
Following this inhumane treatment at the hands of her fellow villagers she appealed to the District Administration Office (DAO), which failed to deliver justice. She then moved to the District Court but to no avail. She now has her case pending at the Appellate Court.
Pamfa Devi, despised by her son, daughter-in-law and other relatives, because she was fed excreta, now lives in Manarakatti, some 10 kilometres away from Jaleshwor.
"The only matter that torments me is that I might not get justice in my lifetime," lamented Devi.
Anur Devi, 60 of Kisan Nagari who was meted out with a similar treatment on charges of being a witch in 2001 still has a case pending at the Appellate Court. She was held responsible for killing a person through ‘Bhuisappa’ - ability to make snakes kill on her command.Those who had perpetrated the violence on her often humiliate her still, according to Anur.
"I am tired of making the rounds of the courts. Sometimes I feel that I am going mad," expressed a depressed Anur who revealed that she is virtually leading the life of an outcast.
In 2001, 70-year-old Malechiya Devi of Ekadara, was labelled a witch, fed a mixture of human and animal excreta, and finally beaten to death.
In yet anther case, Buchiya Devi, a widow of Laxminiya committed suicide in 1998 unable to stand the inhuman treatment at the hands of her neighbours who accused her of being a witch.
There are still some four more known cases where women victims of witch-hunting are still waiting for justice from the courts.
Such helpless women are leading a miserable life while the culprits go scot-free, due to inadequate legal procedures, expressed sources.
"Punishing culprits convicted of witch-hunting charges is difficult in the absence of separate laws," said Chhokpa Sherpa, the Superintendent of police.
Ramesh Regmi, a law practitioner, is of the opinion that those victimising and accusing women to be witches should be dealt firmly with strict laws.Posted on: 2003-12-12 04:57

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