Youth beaten up for protesting against sister's 'witch' tag

A youth was beaten up by some local villagers after he protested against them for branding his elder sister as a witch.

The local residents wanted to drive the woman away from the village after branding her as a witch. It was alleged that the villagers were trying to force her out of the village.

The incident took place at Kushtora village under Salboni police station in West Midnapore. On Sunday morning, the victim's younger brother protested against the incident when the villagers attacked him.

The victim's brother received severe injuries on various parts of his body. The incident happened when the woman was returning home along with her brother from a nearby place. Some of the villagers stopped their way and hurled abuses at the woman.

The youth protested against the incident. A quarrel broke out between the youth and the local residents. The mob suddenly attacked the youth. The victim was admitted to the hospital with his limbs broken.

The family members of the victim a few days ago had lodged a complaint in the local police station after which the police conducted a camp in the village to spread awareness against superstitions but nothing happened. Even after the police held an awareness camp, the local villagers attacked the youth and abused the woman. The injured youth has been admitted to the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital where he has been undergoing treatment.

It was learnt that if a village resident fell ill, the villagers blamed the woman for this. This had gradually become unbearable for the victim's family members. The family members of the victim are spending sleepless nights apprehending some fresh attack on them. They have lodged a complaint in the police station stating the incident. They alleged that police failed to check the incident despite a previous complaint. Meanwhile, the cops have started a probe in this connection.