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Torture of Dalit woman rocks Assembly

K. Balchand

— PHOTO: PTI

ATROCITY: A villager cuts the hair of Lalpari Devi alias Anita Devi, alleged to be a witch, at Dumariya-Adlakchak village in Maner on Thursday.

PATNA: The Opposition created a furore in the Bihar Assembly on Wednesday raising the issue of humiliation and torture of a Dalit woman in a village in Patna district on Thursday.

The Opposition accused the Nitish Kumar government of failing to protect even women in the State. They alleged that Dalits were being subjected to disgrace by feudal elements in the absence of the fear of law. The Chief Minister agreed to make a statement on the incident after having it investigated.

According to the police, Ramayodhya Rai of Adalchak Dumaria village had tied 45-year-old Lalpari Devi, a Dalit, to a tree, beat her up mercilessly and sheared her hair. The arrival of the police saved her life.

Rai had called Lalpari Devi from a neighbouring village to treat his mentally ill wife. When his wife’s condition deteriorated, Rai vented his anger against Lalpari Devi, accusing her of witchcraft. His neighbours turned the scene into a frenzy. The police rescued her, filed an FIR and arrested six persons, including Rai. Lalpari Devi was admitted to hospital and released after treatment.

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