Witchcraft: One killed, five hurt in Assam

Tezpur, Sep 18 (UNI) In yet another case of witchcraft, a woman was murdered and five others of her family were injured in Assam's Sonitpur district late last night.

The family of one Sivcharan Basumatary of Chariduar Thekeraloga village, about 40 km from here, was attacked by a group of 20-25 people with sharp weapons on charges of practising black magic.

Sivcharan's daughter-in-law Anima (25) was killed, while five others, including Sivcharan and three women of his family, were injured.

The injured were admitted to Kanaklata Civil Hospital at Tezpur.

None has been arrested so far, police said.

Villagers maintained that the family was held guilty for famine-like conditions and health problems in the area.

However, none of the attackers have been identified.

Witchcraft is a serious problem in several Assam districts, especially among the tribal communities, with instances of entire families being killed on such charges.

The administration as well as police had been trying to stop the evil but to little effect.

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