From Superstition to Savagery

Women Accused of Witchcraft Face Violence in Rural India

By Rama Lakshmi
Special to The Washington Post
Monday, August 8, 2005; Page A12

PALANI, India -- At sundown, Pusanidevi Manjhi recalled, nine village men stormed into her house shouting, "Witch, witch!" and dragged her out by her hair as her six small children watched helplessly.

"This woman is a witch!" the men announced to the villagers, said Manjhi, 36. She said they tied her ankles together and locked her in a dark room.