New Delhi, 29th July, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report that a person alleged to have been practicing witchcraft was forced to eat human excreta by the Gram Panchayat of Wahkdait village in East Khasi Hills district, Meghayala. Issuing notices to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, returnable in four weeks, the Commission has observed the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights to live with dignity.

According to the media report carried on 24th July, 2013, four girls of the village alleged that Noping Khongsit used to appear in their dreams and frightened them with snakes. Believing their statements, the local 'dorbar' declared him guilty of practicing witchcraft, held him responsible for scaring the four girls, and punished him by making him eat human excreta.

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