Guwahati, Dec 31: A married couple was killed in a brutal act of violence after a group of villagers allegedly attacked and set their house on fire on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, police said on December 31.
The incident took place on the night of December 30 at No. 1 Beloguri Munda village in the Howraghat area. According to investigators, the attackers entered the couple’s home and assaulted them with sharp weapons before setting the structure ablaze, leaving both victims trapped inside.
The deceased were identified as Gardi Birowa, 43, and his wife Mira Birowa, 33. Police said the couple had been accused by fellow villagers of engaging in witchcraft and of being responsible for alleged misfortune in the locality, claims rooted in superstition.
Senior police officers and officials from the civil administration visited the village soon after the killings and initiated an investigation to trace those responsible. Additional security personnel were deployed in and around the area to prevent further unrest.
An official familiar with the probe said superstition and rumours continued to trigger violent attacks in parts of the region, often resulting in the loss of innocent lives. Police said the accused would be booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and added that witch-hunting is a specific offence under Assam law, carrying stringent punishment.
