Police have arrested seven persons including four women for allegedly killing a person on the suspicion of being a witch at Barpathar in upper Assam’s Golaghat district.
The deceased was identified as Lakhiram Kheruwal, 68.
The incident occurred at Chokoli Pathar Gaon under Dhansiri sub-division in Golaghat district.
Police said the deceased was approached by Ranjit Kheruwal to treat his ailing daughter-in-law and accordingly took him to their house where an altercation took place resulting in his death.
Lakhiram’s wife Fuleswarin Kheruwal , 55, was also injured and presently undergoing treatment, said Golaghat SP Pushpraj Singh.
According to the sources in police, Huntu Kheruwal, son of the deceased lodged an FIR alleging that his parents were beaten up by a mob led by Ranjit on Monday evening branding them to be witch and as a result his father succumbed to his injuries next day.
All the accused have booked under provisions of Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015 and other relevant sections of the IPC.