Skip to content Skip to navigation

Three arrested in witch-hunting case

Police arrested three persons in connection with the missing of college student Ashinta Basumatary alias Ola, who went missing from his house at East Maligaon in Kokrajhar, since April 22; on the other hand, accused woman for witch left her village to get rid of atrocities and threatens from the situation in the area.

Shyamal Prasad Saikia, Kokrajhar SP said that police administration has been taking stern action into incident and nabbed three persons from the village. They are identified -Anil Basumatary( 60), Ranjan Narzary(25) and Dhiren Narzary(40), were arrested yesterday night. Saikia said expressed concern over incident said that it was unfortunate in today’s scientific era as peoples are belif on witch. He said that there is every posibility that the youth was killed and body dumped the day he was taken away.He has expressed his hopeful that main culprits would be booked in earliest.

Ashinta Basumatary alias Ola, a BA 4 semmester student at UN Brahma College, Kajalgaon in Chirang went missing from his house since April 22 last. The family member fear that he was taken away and killed by some villagers as the family were accused of being a witch. Ashinta’s mother Gaijrai was accused of being a witch five years back after the death of her husband. and forced to leave her house last December. She has since been living at her parents house at Sulmari in Gossaigaon subdivision.

In October 2013, the villagers of Sulmari and East Maligaon even held a meeting in this regard and a resolution was adopted that the family should be allowed to live in the village without any problem. But the family were harassed continually forcing Gajrai to leave her home and stayed with her parents leaving her two sons and a daughter.

The ordeal resurfaces again after Gajrai came to visit her children for a family function few days back. Some villagers accused her of spelling black magic resulting the death of a cow in the village after her visit in the village.

Ashinta’s elder brother Mahanta said they received a threat few days back by some villagers, who even took away their goat as punishment. Mahanta said after receiving threat his brother(Ashinta) asked him and his wife to leave the place as precautionary measure.

Mahanta said he left for his in-law’s place on 20 April last but could not contact his brother since April 22.

‘I heard that he was taken away and killed, he said.

The family member named five suspect-Thobra Narzary, Gobinda Basumatary, Elem narzary, Borai Basumatary and Sontola Basumatary- in the FIR.

Accused family members alleged that villagers kidnapped Ashinta and later killed him for not getting his mother (accused Gaijrai) on April 22 last,who has been still missing. Accused Gaijrai and her family members today left the East Maligaon village following threats of atrocities on them for Soulmari village under Gossaigaon sub-division.

Gaijrai Basumatary,accused woman said, ‘On April 22 last villagers of East Maligaon kidnapped my son and allegedly killed for not getting her, on suspecting witch. I don’t know nothing about black magic, but same villagers suspects her witch.Villagers used to plan atrocities her as well family members. Today, I and my son are leaving the village due to insure of living in the village because villagers are targeting her family. I have filed an FIR with police seeking justice into incident’.

Anil Brahma, relatives of Gaijrai said,‘Gaijrai and her son are leaving village for allegedly suspected witch-craft because her a son was kidnapped and allegedly killed.Villagers have been targeting her family, so they decided to leave village to a secure village. ‘We have filed an FIR with police and wanting stern action into incident. Villagers of East Maligaon killed Ashinta for not getting his accused mother (Gaijrai) at her home’,he said.

Former minister and Kokrajhar east MLA Pramila Rani Brahma visited the village to take stock about situation.She has condemned the situation.

 

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

Himachal thrash Assam in Ranji clash

31 Dec 2014 - 8:36pm | AT News
Himachal Pradesh thrashed Assam riding piggyback on pacer Rishi Dhawan wonderful show in the Ranji Trophy cricket match on the fourth and final day on Wednesday.The pacer grabbed five wickets to help...

Body recovered

3 Dec 2016 - 11:21pm | AT Kokrajhar Bureau
Sensation prevailed along Maibong Nwgwr in Kokrajhar after recovery death body of a maid servant that was found suicide hanging from ventilator at a House of Maikel Daimary, personel secretary of BTC...

Assam Chai Bar to be open in GTAC

10 May 2011 - 5:20pm | Ritupallab Saikia
An Exclusive retail sales counter of Authentic Assam Tea and a lounge for consumption of brewed tea will be opened for the first time in North-East India in the name and style of...

36th Martyr's Day Observed in Udalguri

14 Sep 2024 - 10:24pm | AT Kokrajhar Bureau
The 36th Martyr's Day of the former NDFB was commemorated at the Kajiamati Thulunga Fwthar in Udalguri on Saturday with a day-long program. The event, organized by former NDFB members in...

Other Contents by Author

The Bodo community, including the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) and All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), celebrated the 61st Bodo Bijwng San (Bodo Medium Day) across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) on Saturday. The day marks the introduction of the Bodo language as a medium of instruction in Lower Primary schools in Assam. This year's celebrations highlighted the 61-year journey of Bodo medium education and its success in promoting mother-tongue based learning. Central Celebration in Kokrajhar A joint program was held at the Simbargaon HS School playground in Kokrajhar, organized by the district units of Bodo Sahitya Sabha and ABSU. Bijel Kumar Basumatary, president of the Kokrajhar...
KOKRAJHAR: The social landscape of Assam mourns the loss of one of its most prominent crusaders for social justice and women's empowerment, Padmashri (Dr) Birubala Rabha, who breathed her last today morning at a hospital in Guwahati. Dr. Rabha, who had been undergoing treatment at the State Cancer Institute, Guwahati for the past few months, succumbed to her illness, leaving behind a legacy of relentless activism and reform. Dr. Birubala Rabha was a pioneer in the fight against witch-hunting, a deeply entrenched social evil in Assam. Her tireless efforts were instrumental in the Assam government passing the Prevention of and Protection from Witch Hunting Act in 2015, a landmark...
Kokrajhar, May 2:  A search operation that began yesterday evening concluded today with the recovery of three bodies from the Beki River near Manas National Park in Baksa district. The three youths, identified as Deep Saha, Raj Saha, and Abhijit Karmakar, all from Barpeta Road, reportedly went missing after entering the river for a swim on Wednesday evening. Local sources informed that authorities, including the police, SDRF, and local residents, launched a search operation late Wednesday night. "The bodies were fished out of the river this afternoon after a thorough search," a local source said. The cause of drowning is suspected to be strong currents or hidden underwater...
In line with the global initiative, NTPC Bongaigaon Salakati actively participated in celebrating World Earth Day today by organizing a tree plantation drive within its plant premises. Demonstrating their commitment to a sustainable future, over 50 saplings of various kinds were planted by the company officials and staff. The plantation program was spearheaded by the senior management of NTPC Bongaigaon Salakati, led by K C Muraleedharan, CGM and Business Unit Head. Mr. Muraleedharan emphasized NTPC's group-wide efforts in tackling climate change by inspiring positive action from governments, businesses, and individual citizens. He also highlighted the specific initiatives undertaken by...
KOKRAJHAR, Assam - April 11: The Baukhungri Hills are gearing up for the 11th edition of the Baukhungri Festival, the grandest celebration in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The two-day festival kicks off on Thursday, showcasing traditional Bodoland culture, indigenous sports, and local delicacies. Organised by the BTR government's Tourism Department, the festival coincides with Rongjali Bihu, Assam's harvest festival. A major highlight is the mass hill trek on the last day of the Ch
KOKRAJHAR: A terrifying encounter with a bison in the Karigaon-Haldibari area under Kokrajhar police station early Monday morning has left at least four individuals injured, with one sustaining serious wounds. The incident occurred when villagers attempted to repel the bison, which had strayed into the human settlement from the nearby Ripu-Chirang Reserve Forest under Haltugaon forest division. Among the injured, Mehung Basumatary suffered severe injuries to the stomach. He was swiftly transported to the RNB Civil Hospital in Kokrajhar and later referred to Barpeta Medical College and Hospital for advanced medical care. Locals report that the bison still remains within the...
KOKRAJHAR: Citizens from various communities, particularly the Bodo community, commemorated the exemplary contributions of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, former president of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), on his 68th birth anniversary, celebrated as 'Student Day' across different districts of Assam with a series of day-long events on Sunday. In Kokrajhar, the central committee of the All Bodo Students Union, in collaboration with the Upendra Nath Brahma Trust (UNBT) and the Kokrajhar district committee of ABSU, convened at Thulungapuri Dotma amidst a massive turnout of public and student representatives. ABSU President Dipen Boro unfurled the union flag, followed by heartfelt floral...
KOKRAJHAR: The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Bongaigaon Salakati organized a rural sports meet on Friday, March 29th, in collaboration with the Sports Council and the District Sports Officer of Kokrajhar. This event, held under the power station's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aimed to promote physical activity and sportsmanship among the youth of nearby villages. Students from five local schools - Dholmara High School, Salakati M.E. School, Salakati Junior College, Jaregaon High School, and BTPS High School - participated with great enthusiasm. The exciting competition featured six events: 100-meter and 200-meter races, 100 x 4-meter relay race, long jump...
The vibrant festivities of Gwthar Bathou San (Bathou Divosh) echoed across the districts of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and the entire state as it was celebrated with traditional fervor on Tuesday. The state government declared this day as a state holiday, emphasizing the significance of preserving and cherishing the rich cultural heritage associated with Bathou tradition. Gwthar Bathou San-2024 (Bathou Divosh) unfolded with religious zeal on the second Tuesday of the Magh month, a day that will now be commemorated annually as a full-fledged holiday. The celebrations resonated with the essence of festivity, bringing together people from diverse communities in the spirit of unity...
KOKRAJHAR: The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) observed 81st birth anniversary of its founder president Agdari Baneswar Basumatary on Wednesday with day-long programmes across the state of Assam. In Baksa, the central committee of the ABSU in association with Baksa district committee observed the birth anniversary of Agdari Baneswar Basumatary at Koklabari near Mushalpur that saw a well gathering amongst the citizens. Assam cabinet minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma, MCLA Mantu Boro, ex MCLA Anip Basumatary, and senior citizens attended and offered rich floral tributes to the great leader. ABSU president Dipen Boro said that the students union is working dedicatedly for the welfare and...