MELBOURNE, July 27: An Indian-descent woman in New Zealand has been duped by her compatriot who claimed to be a healer, prompting immigration authorities to launch a crackdown against such Indian-origin ‘witch doctors’ in the country.
The New Zealander woman of Indian descent said that she was depressed and desperate and sought help from the witch doctor, only to be told by the so-called healer that she was gravely ill due to black magic, according to a media report.
She said that he asked her to pay 5,000 New Zealand dollars to get herself cured.
“I use the word extortion. They threaten people,” the woman, who has not been identified, said.
The immigration department of New Zealand said it has taken the matter seriously and is investigating at least six practitioners in Auckland and Wellington. Deportation is one option.
The authorities are now linking up with different community leaders to resolve the matter
In an undercover operation conducted by 3 News, there has been an alarming increase in black magic practitioners arriving from India on tourist or temporary work visas.
Many start with a 20 New Zealand dollars visit fee and guarantee 100 per cent results, before going on to charge thousands to heal or bring back a lost one.
Indian community leaders are now preparing to meet.
“I’m getting my community leaders together shortly,” said community leader Pratima Nand. “Hopefully the Immigration Minister can ban these people once and for all.”
“It’s time somebody did something,” says Cecil Lochan of the Auckland Regional Ethnic Council. “The mere fact is, how did they enter the country? Under what category did they come? That’s the question we shall ask first.” (PTI)
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