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

• Image Credit: Internet

• Sep 23, 2024 | admin

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.