4-year-old boy killed for witchcraft in Odisha

13 November, 2012

Four persons have been arrested in Nuagaon in Kalahandi district in Bhubaneswar, and they have confessed to the killing of a 4-year-old child, Ajit Gahir in the name of witchcraft.

AJIT GAHIR, a four-year-old boy was reported missing from his village, Nuagaon in Kalahandi disrtict in Bhubaneswar. There was chaos around the area as the boy was nowhere to be found. The family had lodged a complaint about the missing child. It was only after three days that the police was able to find the body near Kunkad forest.

According to The Times of India, four persons were engaged in the killing of the child, including his uncle, Jarbi Gahir along with Kumuda Sarangi, a sorcerer, Dayalu Dora, and a villager, Parameswar Dora. It was revealed later that the boy was killed for witchcraft, which is ridiculous.

The parts of the body were used for witchcraft, but these people involved in the crime have also confessed to the crime. The history of witchcrafts can be traced back to hundreds of years ago, which still has a foothold in India, where it is primarily used to harm someone for various reasons, which may also include personal enmity. But, make no mistake, these witchcrafts are also used for good reasons as well, which are not highlighted much.

The incident at Bhubanewsar just brings into light the existence of such witchcraft culture in India as well, despite all the modern age technologies. It is primarily rural areas, where such acts are carried out and given the prevalence of superstitions, these things are going to continue in the future as well.