In a disturbing incident that highlights the persistence of superstition and mob justice in rural India, a 50-year-old man was viciously attacked by fellow villagers in Odisha. The victim, Kham Singh Majhi, was accused of practicing black magic, a charge that led to a horrific ordeal where he was tied up and set on fire in broad daylight.The shocking event unfolded in Portipada village, where locals had convened a makeshift tribunal to pass judgment on Majhi. In a cruel twist of fate, the accused man was present at this gathering, unaware of the violence that was about to be unleashed upon him.
Without any semblance of due process, the villagers bound Majhi with ropes made from straw and set him ablaze as a form of punishment. The scene that followed was heart-wrenching – Majhi, engulfed in flames, ran desperately from house to house, pleading for help. Tragically, not a single person came to his aid.In a desperate attempt to save himself, the burning man jumped into a nearby pond. It was there that his family finally found him and rushed him to the local government hospital. Given the severity of his injuries, Majhi was later transferred to a larger hospital at the district headquarters, where he remains in critical condition.
Hemlal, the son of the victim, vehemently denies the accusations against his father. He recounts how the villagers had threatened his father with dire consequences for allegedly practicing black magic. When Majhi denied these baseless charges, the mob resorted to violence, beating him before setting him on fire.Local law enforcement has initiated an investigation into this horrific act. However, when police arrived at the village, they found that most residents had fled their homes, complicating efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Arup Behera, a senior police official, acknowledged the gravity of the situation but emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages. “We’re looking into allegations of an attempt to burn the victim alive,” Behera stated. “Only after a thorough investigation can we determine the full circumstances that led to this attack.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that persist in some parts of India, where superstition and mob mentality can lead to tragic consequences. It underscores the urgent need for education and awareness campaigns to combat such beliefs and prevent similar acts of violence in the future.
