GUWAHATI: Police have arrested nine persons, including a woman, in connection with the physical torture and detention of an elderly couple at a village near the Assam-Meghalaya border.
The couple – Luind Sangma (79) and Pritila Sangma (65) – belonging to Da-gaon under Boko police station, were accused of practicing witchcraft. They were beaten up and detained by a section of villagers on May 11.
Police however rescued them on the basis of information received on May 12 and made arrangements for their treatment at the Boko primary health centre and Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.
“We had started an investigation and managed to arrest nine persons, including a woman, from the village this morning. They are believed to have been instigated to carry out the assault by a quack, Grithalson Marak, who is absconding. We are on the lookout for him and should arrest him in a day or two,” Jogendra Barman, officer-in-charge of Boko police station told The Shillong Times on Tuesday.
Da-gaon, which is located near the inter-state border, is about 25km from Boko town in Kamrup district.
Sources said that the villagers had organised a public meeting on the evening of May 11 prior to dragging the duo out of their house and assaulting them after suspecting them of practicing witchcraft.
Meanwhile, the duo has been discharged from GMCH, and is currently in custody of Boko police.
“They are still recovering. We interacted with them this morning and are now trying to arrange accommodation for the time being in Boko. We shall have to look for a shelter home for them soon,” Barman said.
