Witch-hunting still prevalent in Kokrajhar

From our Correspondent
Kokrajhar, July 24: Despite efforts being initiated by various NGOs and social organizations to eradicate superstition in the society, attack and killings on suspicion of practising witchcraft is still prevalent in Kokrajhar district. The area under Bismuri police outpost is still regarded as one of the most vulnerable for superstitious beliefs in the district.
The bid on the life of Rabiram rzary by villagers of Dekadambra under Bismuri police outpost in the district speaks volumes of the practice of witch hunting which is still prevalent.  rzary was attacked by the villagers on July 18 after the meeting held at the LP School alleging him of practicing black magic. He received grave injuries in the attack and was hospitalized.  He was admitted at RN Brahma Civil Hospital in Kokrajhar in a critical condition.  Sources from the family told media persons that a person in the village died due to some unknown disease recently which prompted the villagers to brand Rabiram as a witch.
rzary was released from the hospital on Monday. But he has fear in mind. The family members said the villagers asked rzary to attend another meeting after his recovery.  The family members lodged an FIR at Kokrajhar police station. 
Meanwhile, an awareness meeting was held on Monday at Baseball ME School under the aegis of District Science Society against witch hunting.  Crusader against witch hunting, Birubala Rabha attended the meeting as the chief guest and called upon people to stop witch hunting and other superstition beliefs. 
Kokrajhar  Press Club, in association with Information and Publicity department, organized a public meeting against witch hunting and superstitious beliefs on the occasion of tiol Press Day in 2016 at Bishmuri but cases of witch hunting are continuing.  Also, the entire Bishmuri area has no health facility. The only medical sub-centre at Bishmuri is non-functiol. People have to move to Kokrajhar from remote places. 
A BA third year student of Bodofa UN Brahma College,  Chirang, Achinta Basumatary was also killed two years back after being branded as a witch in the same locality. 
Wife of Rabiram, Lwkhi rzary said the villagers could target the family members as they asked them to be present in the meeting again after his release from the hospital.
A group of ABSU members led by advisor Maneswar Daimary, Discovery NGO activists led by vice-president ba Kr Basumatary and members of Kokrajhar Press Club visited the house of Rabiram-Lwkhi at Dekadambra on Monday to take stock of the situation.