Poltergeist mystery haunts Hazaribagh girl

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction as evident from the trials and tribulations that 12 year old Julie faces almost every other day. Over the past two-and-half years, most of her shoes, slippers, books and clothes are mysteriously torn into shreds by an unknown power which emanates from an unidentified source. Exactly how and when this power manifests is a mystery to man.This comples Julie to change her clothes worn only a few hours ago. Her family is as puzzled about this strange phenomena that plagues them time and again.     
 “Why, on the earth, is this happening to me? God knows, if I will ever be able to get rid of it,” said Julie, a seventh standard student of Sri Kishna Bal Arakhi School at Hazaribag in Jharkhand .

Precautions to protect clothes

Julie’s father Taleshwar Baitha says, “ About two and half-years ago this incident occurred for the first time with my daughter when we were in Birni, Giridih district. Initially, we thought that Julie was up to some mischief and scolded her. But when she pleaded her innocence, we took the best possible precaution by putting her clothes into a box. But much to our shock, we found part of them torn. We are very disturbed ever since. Several dozens of clothes have been destroyed so far, besides her study material and stationery items. Moreover, we have already spent several thousand rupees on her clothes and books, among others but without any respite from this problem.”

Belongings destroyed in 24 hours  

Julie’s mother Sarita beleives: “Most of her belongings are often torn within a span of 24 hours of use.” “I have seen many of her clothes and books stuffed in a gunny bag. The incident is really very surprising and a matter of research over and above all,” said Amarnath Pathak, a reporter of a vernacular daily. The distraught family members have already paid numerous visits to the mazaar and mendicants but to no avail.

Understanding the occult

Poltergeist (from German poltern, meaning to rumble or make noise, and Geist, meaning "ghost" or "spirit") denotes an invisible spirit or ghost that manifests itself by moving and influencing objects, generally in a particular location such as a house or room or place within a house. Poltergeists have been reported in many cultures. Each has its own name for the phenomenon, while the features of the phenomenon are the same everywhere (rapping noises, object movement etc). This does not prove that the phenomenon is real however, but rather that it is a common experience and may be due to a common psychosis. Places that poltergeists have been reported include India (where they are known as a Mumai), US, England, Japan and Brazil.

Although poltergeist stories date back to the first century, most evidence supporting the existence of poltergeists is anecdotal, which is hardly surprising as the nature of the phenomenon is unpredictable and sporadic.