India is preparing togo to Mars on the one hand, while on the other hand, in some parts of thecountry, the process of atrocities on innocent people continues in the name ofwitchcraft. The latest case has come to light from Chandrapur in Maharashtra, where7 people have been beaten up badly by villagers by tying them together oncharges of ghosting. Four of the seven are women and three are elderly. Afterbeating up the mob, all the seven have been admitted by the police to theChandrapur District General Hospital for treatment, where the condition of 5remains critical.
On Sunday, the policehave registered a case against 12 people after the pictures of this incidentsurfaced. The incident took place in Vani Khurd village on theTelangana-Maharashtra border. On Saturday afternoon, four women and threeelders were tied and beaten at the village square on charges of sorcery in thevillage. During this the whole family kept pleading to leave, but no one cameforward to help them.
After this incident,a contingent of police has been deployed in the village. Only after strictinvestigation, no outsider is being allowed into the village. Some socialworkers associated with Dr. Narendra Dabholkar's organization MaharashtraAndhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti reached the village and tried to make peopleaware against superstition.
Assistant policeinspector Santosh Ambike said, "Soon after the incident in Wani village onSaturday, a meeting was held with the village sarpanch and the police team tomaintain peace. We have deployed adequate security personnel in the village. Atpresent, all the accused are absconding. And they will be arrested soon."
Some top policeofficers will go to the village even today to take stock of the securityarrangements.