KATHMANDU, Oct. 15 -- Kusundi, a remote village in Siraha district, is gripped by a different kind of fear. It is not the coronavirus pandemic, but 'a witch who can make them fall sick just by an evil spell' that has 'bothered' the village people. The villagers avoid passing through a certain house, 'where the witch lives'. Even throwing a glance into the direction of the house is considered a risk.
"Nobody talks to us anymore. They don't even look at us. Even my best friend, who used to hang out with me all the time, has stopped coming to our place," said Ganesh Yadav, 25, over the phone on Tuesday afternoon.
His mother, Murtidevi, who sat in the next room, was unable to speak. Last month, the villagers dragged her onto the road, beat he...