Guwahati, Dec 31: In a horrific incident, a couple was brutally killed after being burnt alive by a group of villagers on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district.
According to reports, the incident occurred on December 30 at No. 1 Beloguri Munda village in the Howraghat area. The victims have been identified as Gardi Birowa (43) and Mira Birowa (33).
“The assailants first attacked the couple with sharp weapons inside their house and later set the house on fire, resulting in their deaths. The victims were accused by villagers of practising witchcraft,” a police official said.
Soon after the incident, senior police officials rushed to the spot and launched an investigation. “We have initiated a probe and will arrest all those involved in this heinous crime. Superstition and blind belief have driven people to commit such acts,” another police official stated.
Despite the presence of a stringent law—the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015—incidents of witch-hunting continue to be reported from parts of the state.
“It is a very unfortunate incident, and we strongly condemn such acts. Due to illiteracy, superstition and blind belief, such incidents persist within the Adivasi community. We are organising awareness programmes among the people,” said a leader of the All Adivasi Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA).
