MP panchayat diktat: Man beaten in public for ‘black magic’
A tribal panchayat in MP reportedly ordered the beating of a 50-year-old man in public for allegedly performing black magic and causing the death of a woman in the village recently.
A tribal panchayat in MP reportedly ordered the beating of a 50-year-old man in public for allegedly performing black magic and causing the death of a woman in the village recently.
The man, Komal Uieke, alleged that he was forced to drink human urine in a shoe after he fell unconscious on being beaten by four villagers. The police, however, denied the urine allegations.
Villagers of Ghoghri Khurd village alleged that Uieke had performed black magic owing to which a woman died, Dhanaura police station in charge RS Uieke said.
The matter was taken before the elders of the tribal community on Friday, who convened a panchayat at a temple and both Komal and his father were called.
“The panchayat ordered my beating in full public view and also directed villagers to make me drink urine. Despite pleading innocence, I was beaten heavily by four men and no one came to rescue me, even as my father called for help,” alleged Komal.
“Urine was brought in a shoe and some men forced me to drink it, but I threw it away. However, when I fell unconscious after the beating, they again brought urine in a shoe and put it in my mouth,” he added.
A complaint filed by Uieke with Dhanaura police, however, does not mention the urine allegation.
“The complaint does not mention it and it is hard to understand why he is making such allegations. In the statements of those present at the tribal panchayat, it was mentioned that the panchayat had directed to make him drink urine, but the deed did not take place,” RS Uieke added.
He said four men had been booked for assault or force to dishonour a person, obscenity, criminal intimidation and crime with a common intent and preventive action had been initiated against 33 others who were present during the illegal panchayat.