Beyond the mustard fields dotted with dancing men and women as popularised by Bollywood films or the success stories related to Punjabis in the foreign shores, exists another Punjab where there is cancer, drug addiction and backwardness. This face of Punjab is not very popular in other parts of the country so far.
However, in a grim reminder of this facet of Punjab, a women sarpanch of village Bhinder Kallan in Moga district killed her own niece believing that she was possessed by the evil spirits.
The incident has occurred in the backward Malwa region of the state, which has remained in headlines for cancer deaths and drug addicts, is one of the most backward parts of the state. The sarpanch Pal Kaur and four other people has been arrested by the Moga police for the murder of the young girl.
According to SSP Moga Surjit Singh the victim Birpal Kaur was 13 years old and was not keeping well for few days.
The girl was admitted to a local hospital for treatment. However, her family members, including her aunt Sarpnach Pal Kaur, believed that she was possessed by evil spirits and did not need any treatment. The sarpanch and other family members relived the girl from the hospital on Wednesday and took her home.