Kathmandu, October 16:

At least 200 women in Belaspur of Nawalparasi have been facing charges of being witches and the local administration is silent on the issue, a study said.

“Charging women of practicing witchcraft is rampant in the villages, but the local administration has not taken any concrete step to control the illegal activity and provide justice to the women who have been victimised,” the report of the study carried out by advocate Lokhari Basyal of Forum for Women, Law and Development including representatives of Himrights, INSEC, Women Development Office and District Bar Association, Parasi, said today while making public the findings.

“If anyone falls ill in the village, a local shaman called Majar Baba claims to treat the sick and charges women of practicing witchcraft,” the report stated, adding that this has created terror among the women.