witchcraft Assam

Assam, May 25: A 50-year-old tribal man was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion of witchcraft by a group of villagers in the Baksa district of Assam. The police suspect it to be a case of witch-hunting and have detained five people for interrogation.

The incident happened at Bogoribari village under Kumarikata police outpost near Tamulpur, just 79 km from the capital Guwahati.

According to Assam police, the villagers held a meeting and accused the man of witchcraft. Following this, a group of villagers allegedly beat the man to death.

The villagers also allegedly attacked the police team when it reached the spot. The victim was rushed to a government-run hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Tamulpur sub-divisional police officer Aseema Kalita told media that the police have so far detained five persons for interrogation.


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A case has been registered after receiving a complaint lodged by the victim’s wife. We have so far detained five persons in connection with the case. We suspect that it is a witch-hunting incident. Our investigation is on,” the officer said.

A relative of the deceased said the villagers killed him on suspicion of witchcraft. The villagers also vandalized his house, the relative said.