Witch hunting in Tinsukia

TINSUKIA  Aug 18: The phenomenon of witchery, though prevalent in certain pockets particularly among Adivasis of tea tribe communities inhabiting in Sonitpur and Baksa districts, this social evil of late has engulfed Tinsukia district after a couple was lynched for being suspected to be practising witchcraft at Raidang TE under Doomdooma PS in Tinsukia district on intervening night of Tuesday. Though police arrested 31 people for gruesome act the following day, the incident has shocked the district even as various organisations at different forum carried out mass awareness programme against the mece of witch hunting, superstition, black magic and sorcery in recent times.

According to reports, on the fateful night Dilip Kishan (55) and his wife Sibratry Kishan (50) while they were performing puja inside their quarter in Line no 10 under Hansora Division belonging to Raidang TE, two persons called them out of the house and soon labourers from nearby quarters drag them 200 metres and lynched the couple with sharp weapons. The community suspected that they had been practising witchcraft which resulted into death of several children besides medicines did not give any relief to the ailing people due to black magic power. The deceased couple leaves behind a 10 year old daughter.

Meanwhile, as many as 31 people including women have been arrested by Doomdooma police in connection with the case. Of the accused 17 were female and rest male. A case has been registered against case number 239/17 under section 143/109/120(B)/302 IPC and forwarded to judicial custody.