Guwahati: Padma Shri Birubala Rabha, widely recognized for her fight against witch-hunting, passed away this morning at approximately 9:23 am while undergoing cancer treatment at the State Cancer Institute in Guwahati, Assam.

The Assam government had previously decided to cover Rabha’s medical expenses after Cabinet Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary visited her to assess her condition.

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Rabha had been battling stage 3 cancer since her admission to the institute.

Although there were initial signs of improvement after she was transferred to the ICU on May 4, her health unfortunately deteriorated, leading to her passing today.

She was a tireless advocate against the practice of witch-hunting, playing a crucial role in the Assam government’s enactment of the Prevention of and Protection from Witch Hunting Act in 2015.

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Her organization, Mission Birubala, actively raises awareness about the dangers of witch-hunting.

In recognition of her unwavering dedication and immense contributions to social work, Rabha was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Indian government in 2021.

Birubala Rabha was born in 1954 and was 70 at the time of death.