AMN
Proposed law wil prohibit any person from identifying, calling or defaming any other person as witch by words, conducts, signs or indications.
The much awaited Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015 has been passed by the Assam Assembly. State’s Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rockybul Hussein said that any offence under the Act will considered as non-bailable, cognizable and non-compoundable. The Bill has clause to prohibit any person from identifying, calling or defaming any other person as witch by words, conducts, signs or indications.
The Bill has provision of imposing up to seven years of jail and fine up to 5 lakh rupees if anybody violates it. The bill said that sentence of 3 years imprisonment will be given if anybody blames a person for natural disasters in a particular locality such as droughts, floods, illness or any death.
The bill has also proposed to set up special courts in consultation with the high court for trial of offences. Assam government will also provide free medical assistance to the victims of witch hunting. Hundreds of cases of torture and killing have been reported in the state in the name of witch.