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Woman seeks justice against neighbours
SIRAHA, DEC 15 - Bina Devi Chaudhari, 25 of Briyapatti VDC-5, came to Siraha, the district headquarters, today seeking justice against the cruelty perpetrated by 10 of her neighbours who have accused her of being a witch. She was carrying her one-and-a-half-year-old son with her.
"When I was alone in my house, 10 persons including men and women from my neighbourhood, dragged me out and severely beat me, claiming that I was a witch, last Thursday evening," said Chaudhari, showing marks of injury on her body. "When my brother-in-law came to my rescue, they hit him on his head with iron rods."
Ironically, of the 10 assailants, seven were women, according to the victim. Bina has identified those involved as Ram Kumar Chaudhari, Ashok Kumar Chaudhari, Balha Bali, Daya Devi, Kariram Chaudhari, Maadho Devi, Sunita Devi, Asha Kumari, Chani Devi and Bibha Devi and lodged a complaint at the DAO, demanding action against them.
Around six months ago, Shuva Narayan Chaudhari, 22, the brother of Kariram Chaudhari, a neighbour fell sick. A shaman was called from Kabilahsi village to treat the sick Chaudhari. After the shaman left, three neighbouring houses including that of the sick Chaudhari started accusing her to be a witch, according to the victim.
"That day, when I was returning from work, I heard that my sister-in-law was being beaten up. As I rushed to my house, I found 10 people overpowering Bina near the house," said Hamsha Raj Chaudhari, brother-in-law of the victim. "Before I could make any protest the group assaulted me," said Hamsha Raj showing the wounds on his head.
The assailants were planning to feed her human excreta and cut her hair. However, other villagers intervened and she was spared of further humiliations, according to Bina.
DAO has already directed the District Police Office (DPO) to investigate on the matter, according to a DAO source. Posted on: 2003-12-16 04:42
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