Assam to enact anti witch-hunting law

GUWAHATI: Assam has decided to enact a law to dissuade superstitious practice of witch hunting.

Assam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi said, “There has been a recent instance where people are killed in the name of witch haunting in Kokrajhar and in Jorhat. We will initiate drafting of new law and awareness campaign in this regard."

Gogoi has asked Chief Secretary PP Varma to operationalize 181 helpline exclusively for women in distress.

In an order to the Chief Secretary, Gogoi asked Varma to instruct the Home & Political Department to work out an action plan to operationalize the 181 helpline facility for women as in other states like Delhi in consultation with the Assam Police, Health & Family Welfare, ASDMA and other line departments.

It may be mentioned that the Union Minister for Communications & Information Technology, Kapil Sibal has written to the Chief Minister to start a helpline service for women in distress in the State.