INDIA
Indian Express
Written by Samudra Gupta Kashyap | Guwahati | Posted: October 25, 2014
Ten days after a woman athlete was dubbed as a witch and subjected to physical torture in Karbi Anglong district, central Assam, three more women have been targeted under similar charges in Tinsukia district in upper Assam.
The three women, Mala Bhumij, Ratani Kond and Gangi Orang, were beaten up and physically tortured by several men and women until police reached the spot and rescued them. The incident happened in Koomsong, a 720-hectare tea estate owned by McLeod Russel, whose website says it is the largest tea producer in the world.
While the incident took place yesterday, the police have not been able to arrest the main culprit, a local “bez” (faith-healer) called Santosh, with SP Akhilesh Kumar Singh saying he was absconding.
“A local bez on failing to cure a sick 14-year old boy put the blame on witchcraft and pointed at three women living close by following which the neighbours turned violent and severely beat up the three women. Luckily we intervened on time and saved the women from being lynched,” SP Singh told The Indian Express on Saturday.
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