Days after banning consumption of liquor, gambling and playing of obscene songs, a panchayat in Bihar’s Madhepura district has again cracked the whip -- this time against those branding any woman a witch. The Mithai panchayat has decided to impose a penalty of Rs 2,100 on anyone calling a woman a witch, panchayat chief Madhumala said. ‘We have taken a unanimous decision to protect dignity of our women in the panchayat and deter anyone from calling a woman a witch,’ she said. ‘It is yet another social evil in our society where women are subjected to harassment and cruelty in the name of being a witch,’ she said. The decision in this regard was taken days ahead of Diwali, the mukhiya said and hoped that the resolution will help eradicate the age-old vice of harassment and ostracising of women.