Three 'witch-hinters' arrested

Tezpur, Jun 11 (UNI) Three people were arrested last night in connection with the killing of four of a family on allegation of practising witchcraft in a remote village along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh.

Four members of a family, including two women, were buried alive by villagers of a forest village near Dirang tea estate, about 35 km from Biswanath Chariali on June nine.

Police, on receiving a tip off, rushed to the spot but failed to save the deceased.

The villagers had disappeared by that time.

Three persons - Kiran Majhi, Joysing Majhi and Benu Majhi - were arrested late last night, SDPO Saurav Saikia informed.

Police have launched an operation to nab the other accused, who were absconding.

Burning or burying alive of persons on allegation of practising witchcraft was a common menace in the Adivasi belts of the state.

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