ADILABAD: The widespread prevalence of superstitious beliefs among Adivasis living in remote tribal pockets of Adilabad is proving a major impediment in health care delivery. In one such incident, a seven months pregnant woman, who was suffering from stomach pain was not taken to the hospital, but instead the family performed some religious rituals and tried to subside her pain, but unfortunately, the woman died due to complications.
In a separate incident, in Ramjeeguda village of Sirikonda mandal, one Jythupatel believed that his father fell sick after one Arke Kammu performed black magic on him. Jythupatel who was agitated over the incident hired a few men to kill him. Similarly, in Ginnellahatti village in Koutala mandal, one M Gangaram was killed after villagers left that he was performing black magic due to which many people in the village were falling sick.
Gonds claim that the sorcerers perform rituals on the new moon and full moon day nights to acquire supernatural powers. Gonds claim that the persons practising black magic will victimise people whenever they refuse to give them food-grains, money or other things. By using their supernatural powers they make people fall sick. Despite appointing gram police to spread awareness about superstition, it is still prevalent in rural areas of the state.