Assam: Couple killed as mob torches home over witchcraft suspicion; probe launched
In a harrowing event in Karbi Anglong district, Assam, a couple lost their lives when a mob turned violent, setting their home ablaze. Driven by unfounded fears of witchcraft, local villagers reportedly assaulted the couple before igniting their house.
Visual from incident site
Guwahati: A couple was killed after their home was allegedly set ablaze by a mob over suspicion of witchcraft in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, police said on Wednesday.The attack took place on Tuesday night at No. 1 Beloguri Munda village in the Howraghat area, where a group of villagers allegedly barged into the victims’ house, assaulted them and set the structure on fire, killing both on the spot, police said.
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The deceased were identified as Gardi Birowa (43) and Mira Birowa (33). According to police, the villagers believed the couple had brought misfortune to the area through witchcraft.Senior police and district administration officials visited the site, and an investigation was initiated to trace and arrest those involved. Multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked in the case.An official said superstition and misinformation continue to fuel such crimes in the region, despite witch-hunting being a punishable offence under Assam’s law.