New Delhi: A 50-year-old man was reportedly lynched in Assam on Monday, May 24, on the basis of allegations that he was practicing witchcraft, reported the Indian Express.
The incident happened at Bogoribari village under Kumarikata police outpost near Tamulpur, 79 km from the state capital of Guwahati.
Five persons have arrested in connection with the case so far and the police are on the lookout for more accused, officials said. “A case has been registered after receiving a complaint lodged by the victim’s wife. We have so far detained five persons in connection with the case. We suspect that it is a witch-hunting incident. Our investigation is on,” an officer said.
The villagers reportedly held a meeting on Monday and accused the man of witchcraft. Following this, a mob consisting of around 150 people cornered Biren Daimary and thrashed him over allegations that he was practicing black magic and witchcraft in Tamulpur village in Assam’s Baksa district, authorities said. “People in the village alleged that he was involved in some kind of jadu (magic) and that led to the attack,” SDPO of Tamulpur, Aseema Kalita, said.
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According to a report in India Today, the villagers also allegedly attacked the police team when it reached the spot. The villagers also reportedly vandalised the house of the victim.
“Police and administration were able to bring him to the nearest dispensary. But his wounds were such that he unfortunately succumbed,” Aayush Garg, DC of Baksa, told Express. “Till now five persons have been arrested. More arrests are expected soon. Additionally, we have begun a magisterial enquiry headed by an ADC-rank official,” Garg said.
Daimary, who worked as a daily wage labourer, is survived by three sons, a 17-year-old daughter and wife, Kalita said.
Last year in October, a similar incident was reported from the state’s Karbi Anglong district, where two persons, including a woman, had been lynched, beheaded and set on fire by an angry mob over suspicions that they practised witchcraft. The mob had accused the two of performing ‘black magic’ and causing the death of a teenaged girl in Rohimapur village in Dokmoka police station area.