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These need to be then given to the local panchayat or village council.

Community members are afraid to speak against the village council of community elders, or panchayat, Tamaichikar added.

The panchayat has already warned that families of the group's members will be subject to a "social boycott" unless the group is disbanded and they apologise for trying to "defame" the Kanjarbhat community.

Village councils, called panchayat or jirga, are illegal but widespread in rural areas where the justice system is out of reach or perceived to be untrustworthy.

The elders — who effectively served as the “panchayat,” or village council — decided that justice should be served as revenge.