Karbi Anglong: Police have arrested 18 people, including four women, in connection with the brutal killing of a couple who were allegedly burnt alive on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district.
Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh said a scientific investigation is being carried out at the crime scene and asserted that the administration will not tolerate such acts of violence. “I inspected the site where the incident took place. We have arrested 18 people so far after collecting evidence. A scientific investigation will also be conducted,” Singh told the media.
The incident occurred on December 30 at 1 No. Beloguri Munda Gaon under Hawraghat police station. The victims were identified as Gardi Birowa and Mira Birowa. According to police, villagers allegedly attacked the couple, vandalised their house and set it on fire. When the police team reached the spot, the house had been ransacked and a fire was still burning in the front yard.
Referring to a recent court verdict, Singh said that 23 people were sentenced to life imprisonment in a witch-hunting case in Sivasagar a few months ago, and assured that justice would be ensured in the Karbi Anglong case as well. Police have registered a suo motu case under the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act and invoked relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
