Siraha/Feb 8

District Court ordered two men to pay fine Rs 5,000 each for assaulting Chandan Devi Shah, 47, of Belha VDC-2 on September 26 accusing her of being a witch. Chandan was beaten by Bhutkun Sah, 50, of Belha VDC-3 and Tapeshwar Mukhiya, 45, of Belha VDC-5. The court order on February 8 made the decision against them after releasing them on bail. About 200 villagers surrounded and beaten up Chandan on September 26 accusing her of causing the death of Mukhiya’s son Raju Mukiya who died of snakebite at the age of 14 on the same day. The accused were arrested on October 8 and were released on bail of Rs 10,000 on October 13. 

Durga Pariyar