Kotwal's body was found hanging from a tree recently, a day after a woman, believed to be `possessed' by bhanamati (a spirit), named him for masterminding one of the most dreaded forms of black magic.

For over five years, the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti has been engaged in an arduous battle in trying to eradicate the pratcice, which psychiatrists say, is a culture-bound syndrome peculiar to the backward Marathwada region.

Samiti working president Narendra Dabholkar says: ``The Samiti treated over a thousand `cases' of bhanamati over the last half-a-decade or so. It's not just the issue of some psychological disorder. Bhanamati revolves around deep-rooted socio-religious convictions, the lack of education andconditions of extreme poverty.''

Bhanamati, as it is known in Eastern Marathwada -- especially in Beed, Parbhani, Nanded and Latur -- and `poltergeist', as it is known to the rest of world are entirely different concepts, Dabholkar explained.

According to Samiti activist and psychiatrist Nandakumar Bulbule, bhanamati is a classic example of a psychological disorder dominated by cultural beliefs. ``It's a disorder confined to Marathwada,'' Dr Dabholkar says.

Typically, the bhanamati-struck person shrieks, gyrates, makes horrific noises, even barks like a dog. Under the `possessed' condition, he also `names' the person who is responsible for his trauma, says Dabholkar.

In all this, it is the `witchcraft practitioner' who suffers. ``Take Dattu's case,'' says Dabhokar, ``He was called to a certain place in the village and beaten up. The next day, his body was found hanging from a tree. There was an attempt to make the whole episode seem to be a case of suicide. However, the suspectswere later tried.''

The phenomenon needs to be studied in depth ``to uncover its chemistry'', says Dabholkar. Underdevelopment and educational and economic backwardness contribute to bhanamati. Nanded, for instance, has the least literacy rate for women in the State, he pointed out.

Having treated about 1,100 bhanamati cases, Samiti workers believe five years of concerted effort could eradicate the problem, says Dabholkar.

The Samiti has planned rallies in Parbhani district beginning Thursday. Activists, including a team of psychiatrists, will discuss the phenomenon with groups of villagers, give scientific demonstrations of the tricks behind certain `miracles' performed by a `possessed' person and register persons needing treatment.

The `patients' identified during the 10-day programme will be pursued meticulously for treatment, he said.