Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (RJP)

Bantwal, May 4: In a rare incident, it has been claimed that a 'spirit' chased away people who had come to cut some trees at Poyithaje in Narikombu village here on Tuesday, May 3. The trees are situated in a forest belonging to the local deity Shantha Durga Devi.

A contract was given to the people of a different community to cut the trees in the said forest. As per reports, when the trees were being cut at the Chamandi Bana, a 'spirit' reportedly entered one of the workers, who then started brandishing his knife and asked the others in loud voice, "Who asked you to cut the trees at my place? Who gave you the rights?" The person in the grip of the 'spirit' chased away the other workers from the area. The workers who managed to flee from the place were wondering why their own co-worker did this to them.

While the chase was going on, some other workers who had come to the area for some maintenance work of a well, too started running from the spot and disappeared from the vicinity in fear.

After everyone was chased away, the man possessed by the spirit came running to the house of Sridhara Nayak who looks after the property of the deity. Sridhara Nayak’s house is situated around 200 meters away from the spot where trees were being cut. He knocked on the door and asked Sridhara Nayak to come out. Then he asked Sridhara, "Who gave you the right to cut the trees at the place belonging to me?"

To which Nayak replied, "The workers have done it for the sake of their livelihood. They should not be punished for our sins. We will repent for our mistakes. Everything will be set right and we ask for forgiveness. The reply pacified the 'spirit' and the possessed man looked pleased. Nayak offered him water in a glass, but he turned it down saying it was too small a quantity and demanded a pot of water.

The man reportedly asked Nayak to pour water from the pot on his head. A worker present there, drew water from the well and did as told. Immediately after that, the 'spirit' left the man, it is claimed.

As per witnesses, once the 'spirit' left him, the man asked why he was wet, where his chappals and other belongings were. He was then taken to his village in a car by his co-workers.

The news has spread like wildfire in the area. Some people said that the 'spirit' entering the body of a man who is from a different religion itself is an unsual incident which has instilled fear in the minds of people about the deity.

People also said that warnings were given several times regarding cutting of the trees in the area and about not maintaining cleanliness in the area.

A huge banyan tree does exist in the forest and the tree has housed an ancient stone and Trishul underneath it from hundreds of years. Prayers are offered every year to this tree. When the workers allegedly touched this tree, the 'spirit' entered the man, some people said.