Two Women Murdered in Chhattisgarh Over Witchcraft Accusations
In a disturbing revelation of superstition-driven violence in Chhattisgarh, two women have been murdered in separate districts after being accused of practising witchcraft. The incidents highlight the persistent threat faced by vulnerable individuals in rural areas where archaic beliefs can lead to fatal consequences.
Elderly Widow Beaten to Death in Jashpur District
The first case emerged from the Bagicha region of Jashpur district, where Phoolmati Bai, a 71-year-old paralysed widow, was allegedly beaten to death while sleeping. The victim, who lived alone in Gitaripani village after the deaths of her husband and children, relied on relatives for food and care due to her immobility.
Police investigations identified the accused as Chandan Ram, a 31-year-old resident from the same village belonging to the Pahadi Korwa community. According to authorities, Ram harboured suspicions that Phoolmati Bai was responsible for his children repeatedly falling ill. He allegedly attacked her with a wooden stick as she slept, inflicting severe injuries to her head and face, then covered the body with a blanket.
The crime was discovered when a relative arrived to deliver food and found her deceased. A wooden stick was recovered from the scene. During interrogation, Chandan Ram reportedly confessed to the murder. He has been arrested, the weapon seized, and sent to judicial remand.
Second Witchcraft-Related Killing in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi District
In a similar tragedy in the neighbouring Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district, a woman named Kaushalya was murdered in the Pendra police station limits. She was blamed for the death of a relative's son several months prior.
The main accused, Dhirpal Shyam, allegedly suspected Kaushalya of using witchcraft after his son died during treatment approximately three to five months ago. Nursing this grudge, Shyam, along with two aides, reportedly entered her house while she was alone in Kharri village. They attacked her repeatedly on the head with a heavy stone, killing her instantly.
Family members discovered the murder upon returning home and alerted the police. During the investigation, Dhirpal Shyam was detained and allegedly confessed to committing the crime with the assistance of two relatives. All three accused have been arrested and sent to jail on judicial remand.
Deadly Hold of Superstition in Rural Chhattisgarh
These back-to-back killings starkly expose the deadly influence of superstition in rural pockets of Chhattisgarh. Elderly and vulnerable women are frequently targeted and branded as practitioners of black magic following illnesses or deaths within families. Such incidents underscore the urgent need for awareness campaigns and stricter law enforcement to combat these harmful beliefs.
The cases serve as a grim reminder of the challenges in eradicating deep-rooted superstitions that endanger lives, particularly those of marginalized individuals in isolated communities.
