VISAKHAPATNAM: Despite awareness camps and other initiatives, witchcraft-related crimes continue in parts of Andhra Pradesh. However, some crimes are not being reported due to various reasons.
Recently, three people of two families, including a father-son duo, were murdered and two others sustained injuries when the families clashed over witchcraft and old rivalry in the tribal hamlet Bagmaravalasa in Tokuru panchyat under Ananthagiri police station limits in Vizag Agency.
Gollori Dombu was branded as witchcraft (black magic) practitioner by Killo Komati. Infuriated, Dombu’s son Subba Rao murdered Komati and caused severe injuries to Komati’s two sons. In retaliation, the relatives of Killo Komati and a few others murdered Dombu and Subba Rao.
Inspector of police, Araku Vally, GD Baby said witchcraft charges led to the triple murder in the tiny village. “We have taken precautionary measures to prevent further clashes between the two groups in the village,” he added.
A senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, said some people in parts of the state, including in urban areas, still believe in witchcraft and sorcery at a time when science and technology have made rapid strides.
National Crime Records Bureau-2020 data revealed that witchcraft was the motive for four murders in Andhra Pradesh. The state topped in witchcraft related murders in south India.
On average, 10 to 15 people are killed by locals on suspicion of practising witchcraft in the state.
However, some of these murders are attributed to old-rivalry and others. During Covid-19, some people were attacked in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts after being charged with witchcraft and sorcery.
“In the name of witchcraft, people are taking the law into their hands. There is a need to conduct more drives and initiatives to spread awareness among the people on the importance of science in the daily life and to educate them that witchcraft is unscientific and a blind belief,” said G Srinivas, a social activist.
“In rural pockets and also in some urban areas, if anyone contracts any disease or something bad happens to a family member, they believe some supernatural power has attacked them. The family would then blame some persons in the area for the misfortune,” said members of some organisations.
