34% drop in witch-hunting cases in the state in past 5 years: Data | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Witch-hunting cases went down by about 34% in the state during the period from 2020 to 2024, according to data presented by the govt in the assembly on Monday. Mayurbhanj district, with a predominantly tribal population, recorded the highest number of witch-hunting cases during 2020-24, data revealed.
Responding to a query by Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated, “Ninety-five witch-hunting cases were registered and 96 people arrested in 2020; 79 cases were reported and 103 people arrested in 2021. In 2022, police registered 102 cases and arrested 89 people. Total number of cases in 2023 and 2024 stood at 70 and 62, respectively, whereas arrests of 52 and 48 people were made during 2023 and 2024.”
The response indicated that Mayurbhanj recorded 35 cases in 2020, 28 in 2021, 40 in 2022, and 26 and 16 cases in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Rayagada districts reported higher incidences during the five-year period.
Law enforcement officers attributed the reduction in witch-hunting cases to increased awareness about the Odisha Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act, 2013. A senior police officer said that the legislation specifically protects tribals from being labelled as practitioners of witchcraft.
Regarding the prevalence of sorcery-related offences in Mayurbhanj, police authorities identified deeply embedded superstitious beliefs among local tribal communities as the primary factor, despite ongoing awareness programmes.
“A lot more is still to be done to change the mindset of tribals in Mayurbhanj. The situation has started improving with witch-hunting cases reducing from 26 in 2023 to 16 in 2024. Mayurbhanj is Odisha’s largest district by area, with tribal communities constituting about 58% of its 2,519,738 residents (2011 Census),” a police officer in Mayurbhanj said.
Experts emphasised the necessity for focused interventions in tribal regions to address the issue. “The district administrations need to implement more effective and targeted deterrent measures, as law alone has proved insufficient in preventing such violence. Proper training for police personnel regarding the Act’s implementation in witch-hunting cases is required,” said Debendra Sutar, secretary of Odisha Rationalist Society, an organisation raising awareness about the issue.
Responding to a query by Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated, “Ninety-five witch-hunting cases were registered and 96 people arrested in 2020; 79 cases were reported and 103 people arrested in 2021. In 2022, police registered 102 cases and arrested 89 people. Total number of cases in 2023 and 2024 stood at 70 and 62, respectively, whereas arrests of 52 and 48 people were made during 2023 and 2024.”
The response indicated that Mayurbhanj recorded 35 cases in 2020, 28 in 2021, 40 in 2022, and 26 and 16 cases in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Rayagada districts reported higher incidences during the five-year period.
Law enforcement officers attributed the reduction in witch-hunting cases to increased awareness about the Odisha Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act, 2013. A senior police officer said that the legislation specifically protects tribals from being labelled as practitioners of witchcraft.
Regarding the prevalence of sorcery-related offences in Mayurbhanj, police authorities identified deeply embedded superstitious beliefs among local tribal communities as the primary factor, despite ongoing awareness programmes.
“A lot more is still to be done to change the mindset of tribals in Mayurbhanj. The situation has started improving with witch-hunting cases reducing from 26 in 2023 to 16 in 2024. Mayurbhanj is Odisha’s largest district by area, with tribal communities constituting about 58% of its 2,519,738 residents (2011 Census),” a police officer in Mayurbhanj said.
Experts emphasised the necessity for focused interventions in tribal regions to address the issue. “The district administrations need to implement more effective and targeted deterrent measures, as law alone has proved insufficient in preventing such violence. Proper training for police personnel regarding the Act’s implementation in witch-hunting cases is required,” said Debendra Sutar, secretary of Odisha Rationalist Society, an organisation raising awareness about the issue.
