At a time when growing incidents of superstition related crimes are being reported, a science teacher allegedly tried to sacrifice a child at Ganakpara village under Kalaigaon police station in Assam’s Udalguri district on Saturday.
According to reports, Jadab Saharia, a science teacher allegedly tried to sacrifice the three-year-old child, who is his sister-in-law’s child, as per the demand of one Ramesh Saharia, a self-styled godman.
Ramesh hails from Baneikuchi village of Darrang. The locals alleged that Ramesh was conducting puja rituals at Jadab’s house for the last three years wherein Saturday was the last day of the puja.
As per information available, the family members stripped off their clothes as the chanting of mantras were going on.
They set the newly-bought Royal Enfield Thunderbird motorcycle and a Wagon-R car on fire.
Ramesh vandalized the household items like the television set, refrigerator and also set those on fire as if it’s Doomsday of their life.
There were a total of eight members in the house at the time of the incident.
The locals tried to rescue the family, however, as Ramesh threatened to attack with machete and axe, police were called in.
Journalists were also attacked while covering the incident.
The police along with CRPF personnel carried out a five-hour long operation to detain the godman, the family members and rescue the child.
The police had to fire several rounds in the air to bring the situation under control.
During the firing, Jadab Sahariah and his son Jiban Sahariah was shot on their legs.
They have been rushed to the hospital, as per information available.
The incident has triggered a huge sensation in the region.
The detainees are being interrogated by police while top cops including IGP BTAD, Anurag Agarwal have rushed to the spot.
Talking to mediapersons, Bhergaon SDO(C), Gakul Chandra Brahma, condemning the incident stated that the matter is being investigated as to how the family came under such circumstances.