Rafina Khatun, 54, of Biratnagar Metropolitan-8 has accused police of denying to file a complaint against those who had beaten her with the allegation of witchcraft.
Hawibul Miya, 55, Mustikim Miya, 35, Sagir Miya, 30 and Kabir Miya, 28 of Biratnagar Metropolitan- 8 have been accused of beating Rafina Khatun with the allegation of witchcraft. In a press conference held on October 28, Khatun shared that she had filed a complaint with the police on October 8, 2021, but the police denied the complaint.
The victim shared that Hawibul Miya had beaten her on October 5 while she was at her home saying his grandson was ill due to a witch. She further said that the accused was with three others and they had verbally abused her and broken the index finger of her right hand.
The victim’s brother told that he had informed the District Administration Office on October 5 and the administration had sent a letter to the District Police Office on the same day but the police has not taken any action against the accused.
The victim further added that she had gone to the District Police Office on October 8 to inquire about the process but the police sent her back saying there was no such complaint filed by the victim.
DSP Deepak Shrestha of the District Police Office said that legal action could not be taken against the accused as the victim did not come for identification after mailing the complaint via post. He added, that the victim was sent to Koshi Hospital for a health checkup on October 8 after she came to the District Police Office to inquire about the case.
The victim told the press conference that instead of taking action against the accused, her husband Sakil Miya was taken to the District Police Office by the police on October 27.
When INSEC Province 1 Coordinator Somraj Thapa had later inquired about the incident at the District Police Office and the police responded saying they are taking the process further ahead and the victim’s husband was taken to the District Police Office only to find out more about the incident.