• State of Assam received the President’s approval for the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015
• President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the Bill against witch-hunting that the Assam Assembly passed three years ago.

• Now, killing or maiming people in the name of witchcraft will be punishable under the law.
• Under the Act every offence is cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.
• The Act prescribes a prison term of up to seven years and up to Rs. 5 lakh in fine for calling a person witch.
• It also has provisions to come with Section 302 of the IPC -punishment for murder if someone is killed after being branded a witch.
• The legislation is crucial in the present context in which communication technology is being used to magnify superstitious beliefs, black magic and social prejudices with fatal consequences, primarily affecting the life of marginal groups.

The Hindu