Dhubri: Kajigaon police arrested four men in connection with 'witch-hunting' in Modati village in Dhubri-Kokrajhar border on Tuesday.
Hours before the arrest, three members of afamily were attacked accusing them of being 'witches'.
One of the victims died while on his way to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. The other two are critical and have been admitted to Dhubri Civil Hospital.
A case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
In another incident, 50-year-old Noha Tadu, a resident of Bandhuguri village in Chirang district was murdered by her nephew Bhunda Tudu (38) suspecting her to be a 'witch' on February 2.
Witch-hunting is rampant across 17 districts of the state, with Kokrajhar leading the tally with 45 deaths, followed by Chirang with 24 deaths and Goalpara with 17 deaths.
Tinsukia and Udalguri have seen 15 deaths each during this period, while Nagaon witnessed 10 killings, Sonitpur eight and Karbi Anglong six, social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma told the Assembly on February 1.
At least 161 people were killed in "witch-hunting" and other superstitious practices over the past 18 years in Assam, Brahma said.
A total of 133 cases of witch-hunting have been registered across the state since 2001, she added.
Speaking on the issue, Congress MLA Durga Bhumij said that the existing laws are not stringent as one can get bail in 15-20 days. Besides, the ongoing awareness campaigns are not sufficient and there should be budgetary provisions in this regard.
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