MALDA: Branded 'witch', a tribal woman was forced to flee from home and is spending sleepless nights in fear of being attacked again by fellow tribe members. Though she had complained to police after being attacked by villagers twice, the former sent her back home with verbal assurances of taking care of her safety. did not bother to come to her rescue on Friday.

Sarathi Baske, a resident of Oltar village under Habibpur police station, was first attacked by members of her tribe early last week. They even threatened to kill her. It was then that the woman had sought police help as her stays alone with her nephew. Her husband Tikka Soren works as a migrant labourer. Sarathi also owns 10 bighas of land. Labeled as witch a tribal woman flees from home and spending nights outside. Her house was already attacked twice and attempt was made to kill her. even complaining to police did not yield any result. Instead, she was given shelter by the youth congress activists. The incident took place at village Oltar under Habibpur police station.

It is learnt that Saratthi Baske, wife of Tikka Soren, a migrated labourer, of the village used to live alone in the house with her nephew Rajib Baske , a Class X student. She had a land of 10 bigha.

The village has stood witness to several baby deaths in recent times. Also, the villagers have been seen suffering from some ailments. Worried with the prevailing trend, the villagers Of late the village saw the ailment and death of number of babies. Some of the villagers led by Lolin Soren and Moti Murmu therefore visited the had been to jaanguru (soothsayer), pleading with him to find a solution to the crisis. to find way of this crisis.

The soothsayer Lal Mahan reportedly labeled Sarathi as a 'witch' and held her responsible for the affliction in the village. all this ailments.

Blinded by his prediction, the villagers stormed Sarathi's house. She returned back after police assurance. But on being attacked a second time, she fled fearing for life. It was later that some youth Congress activists gave shelter to the hapless woman. that Sarathi's house was attacked first time in last week. Sarathi managed to flee and lodge complaint to police. Although she returned home with the assurance of police, the villagers like Lolin or Moti who attacked her, were not arrested.

Police are yet to arrest Lolin and Moti. On Friday night she was attacked again. But Sarathi scampered away and took the shelter with village Youth Congress workers. Now she is spending nights outside the village.

Block development officer of Habibpur, Abhijit Ghosh , said, "I've heard of the incident. Such incidents aren't rare in the tribal society and are triggered by property issues. I'll ask police to take action and provide security to the victim."