A couple in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district was brutally killed by villagers who accused them of witchcraft. Days after the incident, police arrested 18 people, including four women.Days after the crime, Assam Police have arrested 18 people, including four women, for their alleged involvement in the killing.

Confirming the arrests, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Assam, said that such crimes would not be tolerated. Speaking to the media, Singh said he personally visited the spot where the incident took place. “We cannot tolerate this type of heinous crime. After collecting evidence, we have arrested 18 people so far. A scientific investigation will be carried out, and justice will be ensured,” he said.

The IGP also referred to a similar case from Sivasagar district, where a court had earlier sentenced 23 people to life imprisonment in a witch-hunting case. He said that the same firm action would be taken in this case as well.

The incident occurred on December 30 at around 8:25 pm. The Karbi Anglong district police received information over the phone that a couple had been attacked and killed by villagers on suspicion of practising witchcraft. After the call, police teams from Hawraghat police station immediately rushed to the location.

When the police reached the spot, they found the house of the victims completely vandalised. Fire was still burning in the front yard of the house. During preliminary enquiries, police learned that the victims were Gardi Beruwa, around 46 years old, and his wife Mira Beruwa. Both lived in 1 No. Beloguri Munda Gaon.

According to police officials, the couple was allegedly attacked by villagers who believed they were practising witchcraft. After killing them, the mob burnt their bodies in the front yard of their home. By the time police arrived, the bodies had been reduced to ashes. A senior police officer described the scene as disturbing and confirmed that the crime was carried out by a group of people from the village.

After the incident, police registered a suo motu case, meaning the case was taken up on the police’s own initiative. The case has been registered under the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act. Relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have also been added.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests may be made. Authorities have once again appealed to people to reject superstition and report such crimes, warning that strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in witch-hunting or mob violence.