Two people, including a woman, were attacked and burnt alive by people on suspicion of witchcraft in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, police said. At least 15 people were arrested in connection with the incident.
On May 1, some people from the village got together, called a panchayat and alleged that the two victims were involved in black magic. The villagers also alleged that a child, Arohi Bandu Telami, who is three-and-a-half years old, had died due to witchcraft.
Angered over the child's death, the villagers caught the two victims, assaulted them and poured petrol on them, before setting them on fire. The victims were identified as Jamni Devaji Telami (52) and Deshu Katia Atlami (57).
Considering the seriousness and severity of the incident, Superintendent of Police (SP) Gadchiroli Nilotpal, and Etapally Sub-Divisional Police Officer Chaitanya Kadam and Officer Nilkanth Kukde instructed the Officer-in-Charge of Etapally to start an investigation and arrest the accused involved in the act.
Following a police crackdown, the police arrested fifteen people for the incident. They were identified as Ajay Bapu Telami, Bhauji Shatru Telami, Amit Sama Madavi, Mircha Telami, Bapu Kandru Telami, Somji Kandru Telami, Dinesh Kolu Telami, Srihari Birja Telami, Madhukar Deshu Poi, Amit alias Nagesh Ramji Telami, Ganesh Baju Hedo, Madhukar Shatru Telami, Devaji Muhonda Telami, Diwakar Devaji Telami and Birja Telami. All are residents of Barsewada village.
The police registered a case under sections 302, 307, 201, 143, 147, 149, and Sub-Section 3 (2) of the Maharashtra Prevention of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Inhuman and Inhumane Practices of Witchcraft Act.
The accused were produced before a local court and were sent to police custody for five days.
Published By:
Prateek Chakraborty
Published On:
May 3, 2024
English (US) ·