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Assault
Assaults were common mostly resulting from drunkenness. Assault would be
punishable only when blood was drawn due to an attack. Then also it would
be punishable only by vopia which would be taken by the chief and his machas.
Wife beating in moderation was accepted by the society as a measure for
disciplining the women folk. If, however, due to excessive beating, the
wife would leave the husband and would go to her parent's place, the husband
would have to pay atonement price, hmiatla, to get her back. If he did not
pay it, he would be considered to have divorced his wife.
Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping was an offence punishable with the fine of a gong. Repeating
what was overheard would be punishable with the fine of a mithun.
House Trespass
One was within one's right to forcibly evict any person trespassing into one's
house. If the house owner sustained injury in turning out the intruder,
the latter would be fined a vopia. In case of a wife running away and
taking shelter in another man's house, the husband could forcibly enter that
house to recover his wife.
Defamation
The Lakhers had a fine sense of respect for fair name. Hence defamation
was punished. It was defamation to call a free man a slave or accuse
one of adultery of theft or sorcery. Trivial accusations made while one
was drunk would generally be excused if apologies were tendered.
Defamation was generally punishable by a fine of an earthen pot, racha, or cash
equivalent of ten rupees.
Civil Debts
If one was not in a position to recover the dues from a debtor, one could sell
the right to collect the debt to the chief or any other influential person who
would pay some amount for the dues and keep the balance to himself, when it was
collected.
Offences Relating to Women
In Lakher society, women were treated with equality, dignity and respect.
A maid men was free to choose her boy friend and would in most cases marry him
and remain a faithful wife. Although Lakhers would allow free mixing of
boys and girls, children born out of wedlock were not favourably viewed.
The father of such a child would have to pay compensation, riathama, to the
mother, which was generally equivalent to angkia, the bride price. Till
three years of age the child would be under care of the mother, thereafter the
father could claim the child; otherwise the child would belong to the mother's
brother. An illegitimate child would always be treated as low in
status. Such a person would inherit property of the father only in default
of other heirs and would not be able to participate in the clam's rituals.
Although there would be free mixing, courtship was guided by certain codes of
conduct. The young men would be sleeping in the houses of the girl
friend's parents. But sleeping in the parent's bed would be punishable by
a fine of vopia. Although sleeping under the same roof, the boy and girl are not
allowed to sleep together. Taking liberties with the girl, while asleep, would
be punishable. Rape was very rare. It was treated as very
disgraceful. The punishment for rape varied, depending on whether the
victim was unmarried or married.
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