Dhangadi, March 10

Lawmakers of Province 7 have condemned the thrashing of a woman after accusing her of practicing ‘witchcraft’ in Kailali yesterday and sought action against the police and local representatives trying reconcile the victim and the perpetrators.

Twenty-year-old Radha Chaudhary of  Deukali, Ghodaghodi Municipality-5, was rendered unconscious after her neighbours continuously thrashed her for six long hours accusing her of practicing witchcraft.

Though police had arrested Ram Bahadur Chaudhary in connection with the incident, he was released later in the day in the presence of Ghodaghodi Municipality Mayor Mamata Prasad Chaudhary, ward chairperson Prem Rokaya and the victim’s father Jokhan Chaudhary.

The perpetrator, however, was arrested later following a huge public outcry. The incident drew condemnation of female lawmakers who sought time to speak on the matter in the provincial assembly today. They demanded thorough investigation into the incident and action against the policemen and local representatives trying to cover up the incident.

“Local representatives who were involved in settling the case through mediation and police personnel who refused to register the case must be punished,” lawmaker Malamatidevi Rana said. She demanded that a probe committee be formed to investigate into the incident and the victim be provided free treatment.

Another lawmaker Purna Joshi also condemned the incident. “It’s unfortunate that a woman is beaten black and blue in board daylight and people just look on. What’s more, the so-called local representatives and police don’t help the victim get justice, but try to cover up the matter by getting the case settled locally through mediation,” she said.

No male lawmakers spoke on the issue. After the female lawmakers had spoken at the meeting, Provincial Assembly Regulation Draft Committee chair Liladhar Bhatta presented the draft of the regulation. While lawmaker Maheshdatta Joshi and Tek Bahadur Raika had spoken in support of the draft, Bharat Bahadur Khadka put his view during clause-wise discussion on the draft.

Meanwhile, ministers and lawmakers of the province have pledged to support treatment of the victim, provide compensation to the family and take action against the perpetrator.

Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives Binita Chaudhary said the provincial government would pay for the treatment of the victim.

Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Maya Bhatta, Deputy speaker Nirmala Badal Joshi, lawmakers Birman Chaudhary, Malamatidevi Rana, had also reached Seti Zonal Hospital to meet the victim.