Sensitization programme on witch hunting for police personnel

The Assam State Commission for Women (ASCW) organised a state level sensitization programme for police personnel seeking for intervention and prevention of witch hunting in affected areas of Assam on Friday.

Police personnel from all districts especially those from largely affected areas such as Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Baksa, Chirang etc. attended the programme held at Guwahati Circuit House.

In his presentation Addl. Director General of Police, Mukesh Sahay added that witch hunting is a prevailing problem not only in Assam but also in rest of the States such as Madhya Pradesh, Andra Pradesh, Jharkand and many more. He added that the civic society has a large role to play in pointing out the vulnerable area to the police so that necessary actions may be taken.

The ADGP told the police personnel present, “Police has every right now to arrest on the basis of a complaint or information or reasonable suspicion in respect of a cognizable offence. In any suspicious case as such immediate actions may be taken before commencement of further procedure”.

Meera Barooah, Chairperson of ASCW shared that in order to overcome killing of women, men and sometimes the entire family and various other incidents in matters relating to witch hunting the Commission has laid down some goals and objectives. Commission had undertaken to create awareness by encouraging education and health and socio economic development programmes. Vigilance committees in villages are set up so as to monitor such evil practices.

Members present in the programme today were Pratima Devi Sarma, Chairperson Assam State Social Welfare Board, Monidipa Borkotoki, Member Secretary of ASCW and representatives from various other NGO’s