In a shocking incident, women members of a self-help group allegedly tried the dispute between two families by holding a ‘Kangaroo court’ in Dasapalla area in Nayagarh district on Saturday night, even though both sides had filed complaints at the police station.
It was even alleged that some SHG members ‘delivered justice and forced the members of a family -- Gajendra Sahu and his wife Molisa Sahu -- to grind their noses on the ground as punishment’. The couple tendered apologies but refused to grind their noses on the ground.
As per reports, the families of Gajendra Sahu and Mmata Muduli, both residents of Tumandi village are locked in a dispute. The families took up the cases with the police. Receiving complaints, the police registered cases.
Both the families are out on bail. As the dispute intensified, Mamata approached the SHG to sort out the issue.
The SHG held a meeting to deliver justice and called the family members of Gajendra Sahu. It was alleged that the SHG members found the Gajendra’s family guilty and got them tendered their apologies.
Worse, the SHG members later allegedly asked the Gajendra family members to grind their noses on the ground as punishment.
On being informed of the incident, police rushed to the meeting spot and managed to pacify the women who were holding the Kangaroo court.
Villagers have reportedly demanded police action against Gajendra’s family and warned that if Gajendra and his family members are not arrested in the next four days, they would gherao police station.
Mamata Muduli said, “I sustained injuries on my head after I was attacked by the family members of Gajendra. Since I am injured, how I can eke out my living.”
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Sarpanch of Kumari panchayat Mitarani Majhi said,” We had a meeting yesterday and asked the family members who attacked Mamata, only to sort out the issue. As the family did not turn up, we all women went together to Gajendra’s house. The family told us that the IIC has asked them not to attend the meeting. However, the family misinformed the IIC then that SHG women have abused the family and pelted stones at their house and broken their doors.”
Minati Sahu, Gajendra’s mother, said, “A large number of women gheraoed our house and locked the door. We family members were crying inside the house.”
However, no comments from police were received over the issue.