Protest in Assembly over Torture of 'Witch Doctor'
Patna: March 28, 2008
The Opposition leaders in Bihar created a furor in the state Assembly on Friday after the news of a woman branded as witch and beaten and humiliated in Maner area surfaced late Thursday night. Chanting anti-government slogans, the leaders said the Nitish government was anti-women and had lost the moral rights to remain in power.
Calling it a disgrace for Bihar, the Opposition leaders demanded the Chief Minister's resignation for failing to protect women and dalits who, they said, were systematically being tortured and disgraced by feudal elements in the Nitish government.
As reported, Lalpari Devi, a self-proclaimed witch doctor, was employed by Ramayodhya Rai of Adalchak in Dumaria village, to cure her mentally-sick wife.
When the 'treatment' failed to cure his wife, Rai got angry, tied the witch doctor to a tree, painted her face, cut her hair, and beat her in full public view while a photographer videotaped the entire episode on camera.
Timely arrival of police saved the life of Lalpari Devi who was taken to a hospital and later released after minor treatment.
Meanwhile, the police arrested six persons, including Rai, on Wednesday.
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