Eight families of Sasanpalli village in Ganjam district of Odisha have been ‘socially ostracised’ and tortured by fellow villagers who termed them sorcerers.
Two of these families have already left the village. Three members of the other six families could leave the village to register a complaint at the Purushotampur police station on Tuesday.
According to the first information report, since October 9 these families have been facing physical and mental torture. They have been ostracised and it is not possible for their children to attend schools. The complainants alleged that a group of villagers had taken away their land documents and taken signatures on blank stamp papers.
Talks held
Inspector in-charge of the Purushottampur police station Bijay Kumar Sahu said sorcery belief had led to tension in the village since October 9. On Wednesday, representatives of Sasanpalli residents were called to the police station for discussions. According to local sources, during the past two years, some youth have died in Sasanpalli. The villagers alleged that it was due to sorcery practised by some persons.
