• Elderly Woman Brutally Murdered by Cousin on Suspicion of Witchcraft in Gossaigaon

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    Elderly Woman Brutally Murdered by Cousin on Suspicion of Witchcraft in Gossaigaon

    Digital
    Desk : An elderly woman was brutally murdered in Assam on September 22, in a
    shocking incident fueled by suspicions of witchcraft.



     The
    victim, 53-year-old Bagare Hembram, was allegedly killed by her cousin, Ganesh
    Hembram, in Chirughutu-Balimari village, Gossaigaon sub-division. The accused
    is currently on the run.



    Earlier
    this year, another woman, Marshila Murmu, was allegedly murdered in Kokrajhar
    district under similar suspicions.



    Local
    officials reported that the community apprehended a suspect, Lakhan Tudu,
    linked to Murmu’s murder, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these violent
    acts driven by superstition.



    In
    June 2024, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that May 13 would
    be observed annually as "Day against Superstitious Beliefs" in honor
    of Padma Shri awardee Birubala Rabha, a prominent advocate against witch
    hunting. This initiative aims to raise awareness and combat the deeply entrenched
    superstitions that lead to violence against women in the state.



    These
    tragic cases highlights the ongoing issue of superstition and violence against
    women in certain parts of India. Despite efforts to combat these practices,
    incidents of witch hunts and lynchings continue to plague communities, often
    resulting in tragic outcomes for innocent individuals.



    In
    2015, the Assam assembly passed the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition,
    Prevention and Protection) Bill, making offenses under the law non-bailable and
    cognizable, in an attempt to eradicate these harmful beliefs. However, reports
    of similar incidents persist.