Assam: Branded 'witch', 56-yr-old woman killed in Kokrajhar

GUWAHATI: Police on Sunday detained three persons for allegedly killing a 56-year-old widow on suspicion of practicing witchcraft in lower Assam's Kokrajhar district, under the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). It is the second such incident since May in the district.
The detained persons arrested for the crime on Saturday have been identified as Naresh Behmbram, Sujit Hembram and Ramesh Hembram. They are relatives of the deceased Pano Hasda.
"The incident took place at around 7.30 pm on Saturday at Bengaijhora village, but we were informed at around 9 am on Sunday. We rushed to the spot and found the body in front of the door of her house with injuries from sharp weapons on her head. The body has been sent to RNB Hospital for a post-mortem examination," Sadhan Sarkar, in-charge of the Tipkai police outpost, said.
He added that the exact reason behind the killing is yet to be ascertained as police have not arrested anyone in connection with the case till now.
Locals suspect greed for property behind the brutal killing of the woman.
On May 9, a 45-year-old woman, Anjali Murmu was allegedly killed and hung from a tree on suspicion of practising witchcraft at Mohanpur village in the district. Three persons - Sunil Mardi, Hopna Hembram and Prabinsan Kisku - were arrested in this connection under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
On April 11, an elderly couple - Sukra Kasua and his wife Balamadina Tirkey - belonging to the adivasi community was killed on suspicion of being involved in witchcraft practice at the Doomni tea estate under Mushalpur police station in Baksa district.