One Killed on Suspicion of Practising Witchcraft, 5 Arrested in Baksa District

A CORRESPONDENT

BAKSA: The killing of a man on the suspicion of practising witchcraft (magical skills) has created sensation in Kumarikata in Tamulpur subdivision in the district of Baksa.

In Angarkatar Bwigriguri village along Indo-Bhutan border under Kumarikata police station, a 50-year-old man named Biren Boro was allegedly killed by the people of the village on suspicion of being a witch. In-charge of Kumarikata police outpost, Nilabhjyoti Nath told the media that the people of the village suspected that some incident had taken place in the village due to a man named Biren Boro of the village. Around 200 people gathered in the village on Monday to hold a meeting while violating COVID protocol. In the meeting, Biren Boro was allegedly called and beaten. They asked him to confess that he was a witch and tortured him severely. Receiving information, a police team led by Kumarikata police outpost, Nilabhjyoti Nath rushed to the spot and tried to rescue Biren from the clutches of the public. The people became violent against the police when they were going to rescue Biren and villagers continued to beat Biren. The police officer of Kumarikata police outpost was also injured in the mob attack.

Local mobs hit the police car and caused heavy damage to the car when police lifted Biren into the police car. Police admitted Biren Boro at Kumarikata state dispensary in a critical condition but Biren died while undergoing treatment. The mob ransacked and destructed the house of Biren Boro. Other members of Biren Boro's family managed to save their lives.

A large police team, including Tamulpur subdivisional police officer Aseema Kalita, Tamulpur Circle Officer and Magistrate Rupkamal Rabha, officer in-charge of Tamulpur police station, Dwipen Kalita, and Kumarikata police outpost in-charge Nilabhjyoti Nath rushed to the spot again. Villagers got into an argument with the police team when police questioned why the people present at the spot had taken law into their own hands by holding meetings in violating of COVID norms. The villagers again became aggressive and tried to attack the police team.

As the mob rushed to attack the police personnel again, the police used force to disperse the mob and arrested five persons on suspicion of involvement in the murder and for attacking the police and brought them to Kumarikata police outpost. The arrested have been identified as

Laksindra Boro (32), Sunos Narjary (21), Birkhang Basumatary (23), Ringkhang Basumatayi (21) and Rajen Narjary (47).

On getting the news, Subdivisional Officer (Civil) of Tamulpur, Dr. Bedang Talukdar also reached Kumarikata and took stock of the incident. A case has been registered at Tamulpur police station and investigation into the incident is on. Police may detain more people involved in the incident. Biren Boro's body has been taken to Kumarikata police outpost from Kumarikata state dispensary. The body will be sent to Baksa district headquarter Muslimpur for postmortem on Tuesday.

Also Read: One hacked to death after suspecting of practising witchcraft in North Garo Hills