GUWAHATI: A tragic incident unfolded in Bhogjhara Samarpur village, located within the jurisdiction of Tulasibil police station in Gossaigaon, Kokrajhar District. On a fateful Sunday, a middle-aged woman, Marshila Murmu, fell victim to a horrifying murder, allegedly driven by suspicions of witchcraft. The sinister event sheds light on the harrowing persistence of witch-hunting in rural Assam.
The suspect, Lakhan Tudu of No.2 Phulkumari village, was apprehended by vigilant locals in the vicinity, who believed he was involved in the gruesome killing of Marshila. What makes this incident even more disturbing is that the accused readily confessed to the crime, citing the influence of alcohol as a contributing factor. Shockingly, it was revealed that Tudu and the victim had consumed alcohol together before the fatal act took place.
Regrettably, this is not an isolated occurrence in Assam. Just a few weeks prior, in September of the same year, an elderly woman named Praneswari Rabha, aged 56, met a similar tragic fate. Unidentified assailants brutally beat her to death, suspecting her of practicing witchcraft. This horrifying incident transpired in Chatabari Pt I Village in Goalpara district. Her lifeless body, with hands and legs bound, was discovered in the cemetery after an extensive search by concerned villagers.
Praneswari Rabha, by all accounts, was a peaceful resident of the village with no known feuds or conflicts. Friends and acquaintances of the deceased believe that she fell victim to a senseless act of witch-hunting. This theory gains credibility from the fact that Praneswari's brother had suffered a similar fate a few years earlier, also allegedly due to practicing witchcraft.
One of Praneswari's acquaintances commented, "There is absolutely no reason for anyone to murder an elderly woman in such a ghastly manner. Praneswari's brother was also lynched to death a few years ago on suspicion of practicing witchcraft, and it is safe to say that she was murdered for the same reasons."
Law enforcement swiftly arrived at the crime scene, and Praneswari's body was recovered for a post-mortem examination. Tragically, witch-hunting continues to be a deeply rooted issue in rural Assam, with no signs of abating.
This disturbing trend is not a recent development. In 2021, another elderly woman, suspected of practicing witchcraft, was brutally stabbed to death by her own son in Kokrajhar. The accused was arrested in connection with this horrifying incident, adding another chapter to Assam's dark history of witch-hunting.
The persistent menace of witch-hunting in Assam raises urgent concerns about the safety and security of individuals, particularly women and the elderly. Community awareness and legal actions like the Bijni court judgment represent steps in the ongoing battle against this superstitious and brutal practice that continues to claim innocent lives in the region.
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