Police in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district arrested eighteen individuals, including four women, on Friday in connection with the brutal killing of a couple accused of practicing witchcraft. The incident occurred on December 30, 2025, when the couple was beaten and burned alive by a mob of villagers in Beloguri Munda village within the Howraghat area.
According to authorities, the victims were targeted by their neighbors, who acted out of superstition and blamed them for local illnesses and misfortunes. Karbi Anglong Senior Superintendent of Police Pushpraj Singh confirmed, “We have identified the accused and arrested 18 persons so far. Further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.” He also mentioned that applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 103 concerning murder, have been invoked in this case.
Following this horrifying incident, police initiated a suo motu case under the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, which categorizes witch-hunting as a cognizable and non-bailable offense. Investigators revealed that the couple was attacked inside their home before being set on fire, resulting in their tragic deaths.
Despite the presence of strict laws against such actions, witch-hunting remains a serious issue in some regions. The Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act of 2015 aims to eliminate superstition from society by making any offenses under the law non-bailable, cognizable, and non-compoundable.
A social activist noted that many killings associated with witch-hunting often relate to property disputes, land grabbing, and longstanding rivalries. While witch-hunting has historically been common in tribal communities, awareness programs in rural areas have led to a decline in such incidents.
Original Source: https://eastmojo.com/assam/2026/01/03/eighteen-arrested-in-witchcraft-related-killing-in-karbi-anglong/
Category: Assam,Free Digest,National News,News,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2026-01-03 12:33:00
