Balasore: A ward member, her family members, and her supporters have been ostracised by a kangaroo court in Barungadia panchayat under Basta block of Balasore district as she belongs to a tribal community.
They have even been banned from worshiping at the Shiva temple in the village and anyone supporting or contacting them will have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000.
Gohiragadia village is located in the Ward No 20 of the panchayat. In the recent panchayat polls, the ward member seat was reserved for a tribal woman and only one tribal family resided in the ward.
A praja court had sat in the village protesting against this decision of the government and the tribal family had been instructed not to contest in the polls. They had been threatened to be ostracised if they took part in the election.
However, five families in the ward supported the tribal family and fielded Girath Soren in the election and she was elected unopposed.
Following it, the village elders conducted another kangaroo court and ostracised Soren, her family, and her supporters. She has reported the matter to the Sarpanch and higher authorities.
While the village head has refuted the allegation stating it is a political conspiracy, Barungadia Sarpanch said that he will discuss the issue with the villagers to resolve the issue.
