A chilling case rooted in superstition has come to light in Bihar's Munger district, where a woman was nearly killed simply because her neighbours had branded her a witch. She was attacked with a sword and left seriously injured. She is currently being treated at the Munger Sadar Hospital, while police have taken the accused into custody and begun investigating the case.
A Tragedy From a Year Ago Set It Off
The incident took place in the Nauwagarhi Bajrangbali Nagar locality under the Mufassil police station area. The victim has been identified as Kalavati Devi. According to her, about a year ago her neighbour's son drowned to death in the Ganga river. That was where her ordeal began. After that accident, the neighbouring family started treating her as a witch and harassing her repeatedly.
Kalavati Devi says she had to endure constant taunts and a string of false accusations. Even so, she never hit back or protested, choosing instead to bear it all quietly in the hope that the matter would eventually settle down.
A Quarrel at the Ghat, Then the Sword
The attack happened on Monday. Kalavati Devi had gone with her daughter-in-law to the Maniyarchak Ganga ghat to bathe. It was there that an argument broke out with a woman from the neighbouring family. Within moments, a minor exchange of words snowballed into a serious dispute. It is alleged that she was first pushed towards being drowned in the Ganga. When Kalavati Devi resisted, the accused pulled out a sword and struck her repeatedly.
The assault left deep wounds on several parts of Kalavati Devi's body. The sword blows left her in a critical state and triggered panic at the ghat. Locals present nearby, along with family members, stepped in at once and rushed the injured woman to the Munger Sadar Hospital, where she is undergoing treatment. From her hospital bed, Kalavati Devi stated plainly that she was branded a witch and attacked with a sword in an attempt to kill her.
Police Action and Forensic Probe
As soon as word of the incident spread, the Mufassil police swung into action. A police team led by station in-charge Vipin Kumar Singh reached the spot and arrested the accused. The sword used in the crime has also been recovered. An FSL team was called to the scene as well and gathered the necessary evidence from the location.
Police officials say the case is being examined from every angle. The preliminary investigation points to superstition and an old grudge as the main reasons behind the attack.
The Dangerous Face of Superstition
This incident has once again exposed how deeply superstition is embedded in society and how dangerous its consequences can be. Even today, in the twenty-first century, people, women in particular, are branded witches and persecuted in many areas. It is not only a serious crime under the law but also a social malaise whose price is too often paid by innocent people with their lives or their dignity.
