Tantrik beheads child, lynched by mob

Security forces deployed as tension grips Tarajuli TE in Rangapara

A CORRESPONDENT

RANGAPARA, May 28: In a shocking incident, a tantrik beheaded a five-year old child to please Goddess Kali to obtain ‘divine powers’, but was later lynched by enraged villagers.

The incident took place this afternoon at Line No 8 of Tarajuli Tea Estate near Rangapara in Sonitpur district.

The tantrik, identified nu Mirdha, is a resident of the tea garden and is a known worshipper of Goddess Kali.

“We were told that since morning today he was performing rituals at his residence. At around 3 pm, he lured a five-year old boy to his residence and beheaded him with a sharp weapon. The child was playing with his friends at a nearby field,” a local garden worker said.

It is learnt that the tantrik continued with his rituals, placing the boy’s head amidst other offerings.

The child has been identified as Satan Bag, a Class I student of Ankur Vikash Jatiya Vidyalaya. He is the eldest son of Sajen Bag and Julia Bag, also from the tea garden. Significantly, the child’s parents and the tantrik are known to each other.

As people gathered around Mirdha’s residence after the incident, he came out with a blood stained sharp weapon and threatened the gathering. Personnel from the nearby 36 Assam Rifles camp rushed to the spot on being told about the incident. Though Mirdha surrendered before the paramilitary troopers, angry locals pounced on him and beat him to death.

Later, it transpired that the tantric had also tried to kill his father Jagu Mirdha.

Police and paramilitary forces were deployed as tension gripped the area following the incident.

Sonitpur SP Sanjukta Parasar also rushed to the spot. “The situation is under control now. We have deployed forces in the area. We are investigating if there is any conspiracy angle in the incident,” she said.