Raj govt to identify witch doctors, sensitive areas
order to ensure effective enforcement of Rajasthan Prevention of Witch Hunting Act 2015, Rajasthan’s Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE) department will conduct a survey to ‘identify’ witch doctors and areas in which they operate. The survey is to keep an eye on activities of such people and to take (pre-emptive) action, if needed.
An official of the department said directions have been issued to districts to identify sensitive areas and “witch doctors”, who are known as tantriks, ojhas and gunia in Rajasthan, by December 31.
A meeting in this regard was held on Thursday at the state secretariat, which was attended by officers of SJE, police, home, Rajasthan Legal Service Authority and other departments.
The state government had in 2015 promulgated the Rajasthan Prevention of Witch Hunting Act 2015. The Act covers prevention, prosecution, enforcement and rehabilitation.
The official said the officers are asked to survey and enlist such people by name with the help of police and women empowerment officials. “The move is planned to keep a close watch on such people’s activity, if required prevention action could be taken against them. During the survey present conditions of the victim will also be monitored for rehabilitation and conviction percentage,” he said.
Community liasoning groups, cadets of NCC and scouts, women’s organisations, self help groups and NGOs will be roped in, he said.
JAIPUR:In