The Goalpara district administration has decided to exhume the body of Robison Marak of Nolonga Pahar at Garopara in West Goalpara who was allegedly murdered in the month of July last on the suspicion of being a witch.
However, the local people have so far claimed that it was a natural death and the matter was buried until Marak’s daughter who was hiding out of fear, this week met front line social activist Birubala Rabha who approached both the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to examine the case.
“We have met Varnali Deka, Deputy Commissioner of Goalpara and she has assured us to exhume the body and undertake an inquiry whether he was murdered or not,” informed Mamani Saikia, district coordinator of Axom Mahila Samata Society.
Birubala Rabha, the crusader against witch hunting in the State, and Mamani Saikia, both are fighting together the Robison Marak case.
On October 28, Birubala Rabha and Saikia, with the help of police, visited the village where the incident took place.
“The villagers have told us that they have murdered Robison Marak because he was a witch,” informed Mamani Saikia.
On Wednesday, police arrested Binod Marak, Mohisang Sangma, Sonibar Sangma, Biswajit Sangma, Rojonni Sangma, Suk Sangma, Bhaben Sangma, Debananda Sangma and Gaon Bura Yanging Sangma.
“We have arrested nine persons and took them for three days remand for interrogation,” informed Amitava Sinha, Superintendent of Police.
Marak’ s daughter Janata Sangma, who was also a target of the superstitious villagers, is at Birubala Rabha’s shelter now.
Robison Marak was first blamed as the witch when a girl named Chandrak Marak (18) fell ill and saw a dream in the month of Jun 2017.