Chatra: A team led by Chatra sub-divisional police officer Avinash Kumar has begun investigating a property-related dispute in which a man has accused his stepmother of being a witch. He even held her responsible for the death of two of his relatives.

Kumar said that he had visited Genjana village in Huntergunj three days back to investigate the case and also arrest the individuals who had injured the woman.

According to sources, two step brothers - Suresh Yadav and Mahavir Yadav are at loggerheads for a small piece of land, which their father had handed over to their mother Muniya Devi for her financial security, when he was having his assets being distributed amongst the brothers.

Muniya, mother of Mahavir and stepmother of Suresh, after her husband’s death began living with her son, who brought the land owned by her into use, thereby making the other son request a share in that land. He even appealed before the village panchayat for the same and offered her to live with them in turns. However, the proposition was rejected, thereby angering Suresh.

A few days later Suresh's son-in-law died. He used the untimely death to accuse his step mother of being a witch. His accusation got stronger when his grandson died of some disease. Nine days ago, when Suresh's daughter-in-law was in the field, Muniya asked her about the death of her grandson. This angered Suresh and his family. Following which, he and his wife along with their sons and daughters-in-law caught Muniya and Mahavir's wife Sanuja Devi (55) and assaulted them mercilessly.

Grievously injured Sanuja referred to Rims for better treatment where she is fighting for her life. Mahavir lodged an FIR against all the involved persons in Huntergunj police station. All accused have fled and raids are going on to nab them.

According to the villagers, government should take initiatives and run campaigns to sensitise them.

Vishvendu Jaipuriar

PG course in foreign language to be unveiled by Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University

BBMKU, Dhanbad Gautam Dey

Dhanbad: Coal town’s Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University is all set to launch post graduate courses in foreign language. As of now six eligible candidates seeking admission in MA (German) course have contacted the institute’s admission cell making queries about admission criteria, job prospects, course fee etc. Interested candidates need to apply for the course through the chancellor's portal between November 3 and 8.

The development assumes significance as ever since the establishment of the University and department in 2017 so far none of the eligible candidates for the course have applied for admission.

The minimum eligibility criteria for admission in the course is BA (Hons) in French/German/ Japanese language with 50% marks in aggregate or above.

Confirming the development, Himanshu Shekhar, Head of Department of Foreign language said, “We are going to launch the MA in foreign language at the University department this year in German this year and faculties for the course will be arranged as some of the PhD Scholars of Visva Bharati University.”

He added, “We expect the number of students to increase in future with the launching of certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses in two premiere colleges of Dhanbad.”

Equipped with an expertise in foreign language the students can secure jobs in MNCs, BPO, KPO and call centres besides in embassies, travel and tourism industry and in international organizations like UNESCO, UNICEF, EU ETC.

Praduman Choubey