Tribal Woman, Mother Of 3, Burnt To Death Over Witchcraft Suspicion In Assam

A tribal woman was burnt to death in Assam's Sonitpur district on suspicion of witchcraft.

A tribal woman was burnt to death in Assam on suspicion of witchcraft/Representational Image

A woman in Assam was attacked with sharp weapons and burnt to death in Assam’s Sonitpur district for allegedly practising witchcraft, said a police officer on Monday, reported PTI. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the case while two others are still absconding and a search operation has been launched to nab the duo, said Additional Superintendent of Police Madhurima Das.

The 30-year-old adivasi woman, Sangita Kati, was attacked by a neighbour, identified as Suraj Baghwar, who had brought in some people from outside their Nij Bahbari village, the PTI report added. 

The attackers, who were allegedly under the influence of alcohol, tied up her husband and later set her ablaze.

As per the PTI report, the neighbours were allegedly involved in a long-standing dispute over various issues and her neighbour had accused her of practising witchcraft.

VIDEO | A woman was attacked with sharp weapons and burnt to death on Sunday evening for allegedly practising witchcraft in Assam's Sonitpur district.

The victim, an Adivasi woman, was a mother of three children. The police have arrested five persons, all of them residents of… pic.twitter.com/KrYRfj1gQb

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 26, 2023

The victim was a mother of three children. 

Earlier this month, nine people were arrested for killing an elderly couple and their granddaughter on the suspicion of practising black magic in Nagpur’s Gundapuri village, 150 kilometres from Gadchiroli, on December 6, as per a report by the Times of India. 

The couple’s son, Ramesh and Vinu along with other relatives were identified as the accused who hammered Devu Kumoti (60) to death and slitting the throat of his wife Bicche (55) while she was asleep, the report added. 

The elderly couple's granddaughter, Archana Talandi (10) who started screaming was also silences by the accused, including a woman. 

According to the TOI report, the villagers and Devu's family were furious with Devu after the health of many of his "patients” either deteriorated or died despite his practising tribal-healing rituals.

Ramesh and Vinu were disappointed with their father who was ostracised by the villagers for practising black magic.