Koraput: In a recurrence of a kangaroo court pronouncing verdict in Odisha, a tribal couple from a village in Bandhugaon area of Koraput district was publicly humiliated for marrying within the same clan, which is considered taboo in the community.
As per information, the incident took place at Chidi Balsa village under Bandhugaon block of the district. Villagers punished the young couple for going against the tradition of the local community.
The couple, identified as Mary Koleka of Peda Aloda village in Narayanpatna block and Sitaram Koleka of Chidibalsa, reportedly got married despite being related.
The two were subjected to traditional punishment on Sunday in the presence of the village elders and other residents. The man was made to pull a wooden plough yoke, while his wife held the plough and sprinkled water over it. This was repeated three times before the elders escorted the bride to the groom’s house.
Villagers said the ritual is intended to deter others from breaking lineage marriage taboos. The couple was also fined a cow and a container of liquor, as per tribal rules. After the punishment, the couple has now been accepted as husband and wife in the village.
This is the third such case reported this year in southern Odisha as similar incidents took place recently in Rayagada’s Kanjamajodi and Koraput’s Peda Itiki villages.
