Human rights activist meets victim of witch hunt, seeks justice

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, May 3: A human rights activist Dibajyoti Saikia on Tuesday visited Kokrajhar to take note of the alleged brutal murder of Achinta Basumatary, a BA 4th semester student of Bodofa UN Brahma College, Kajalgaon, Chirang. He also visited Sulmari village under Gossaigaon subdivision in the district where the mother of Achinta, Garjrai Basumatary was living in her parents’ house following the forceful direction of the villagers of East Maligaon to leave the village after she was branded as a witch since the past five years.

Dibajyoti Saikia met the BTC IGP and SP before leaving for Sulmari village. He held discussion with the IGP and SP over the alleged brutal killing of Achinta Basumatary of East Maligaon under Bishmuri police outpost. He proceeded to Gossaigaon Sulmari village and met Garjrai Basumatary, mother of Achinta and talked to her about the entire incident.

Saikia, who is a human rights activist working against witch hunting, is also associated with the NGO Brother. He told media persons that he had met the BTC IGP and SP in Kokrajhar and discussed about the brutal killing of student Achinta Basumatary under the pretext of witch hunting. He said the mother of Achinta lodged an FIR at Kokrajhar PS on April 28 giving the me of five accused in the murder of her son but only three persons had been arrested by the police.

The human right activist said Achinta was a totally innocent student. He said Garjrai Basumatary was forced to leave the village after being branded as witch by the villagers five years back and was staying in her parents’ house at Sulmari village under Gossaigaon subdivision. He said Garjrai was not only mentally and socially harassed but also lost her son and she was a victim of people’s superstitions. He also said he would put constant pressure on the district authority to take measures so that the family gets justice.