Guwahati: Nine persons were arrested by Karbi Anglong Police today in connection with lynching of a two persons in a remote village of the hill district on suspicion of practising ‘witchcraft’ thereby bringing ‘misfortune’ to the village.
Police informed that the two victims – Ramawati Halua, a 50-year-old woman, and Bijoy Gaur, 28, — were beaten to death by sticks and sharp weapons at Rohimapur, village inhabited by about 20 families from the Adivasi community, under Dokmoka police station on Wednesday night.
Nine persons have been detained in connection with the crime. The police are on the lookout for more persons who might be involved in the crime.
According to sources, the villagers had first branded Ramawati as a “witch” and held her responsible for villagers falling sick and dying.
Gaur had tried to stop the villagers from beating Ramabati but it so happened that he too along with the woman was beaten to death.
The group then reportedly offered rituals to the local deity and burnt the two bodies in a nearby area.
Police found two sticks, one machete and a fishing net from the site besides some of the mortal remains of the victims.
According to the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015, witch-hunting is a cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offence.
