Two instances of alleged mob assault on elderly women branded as witches have been reported in the last three days in West Bengal’s Purulia and West Bardhaman districts.
On Tuesday, two elderly women of Gosaidanga village in Purulia were attacked following the death of a child. According to the police, Raghupati Mal, along with his wife Mala Mal, started assaulting his mother and aunt claiming that they were witches and were responsible for their daughter’s death. By the time the police reached the spot, a large mob had gathered around the house.
Locals said the villagers even dug up the body of the child from her grave and asked the two women to bring her back to life.
“When police personnel reached the spot, the mob started throwing stones at them. Two of our officials suffered injuries,” Superintendent of Police of Purulia district Joy Biswas told The Hindu . Eight persons, including the couple, were arrested.
In Bardhaman, an elderly woman of the Muner Konda village had been ostracised several days ago by the locals who believed she was a witch. On Monday, the villagers started throwing stones at her house and eventually ransacked it. When the head of the local Panchayat, Arpita Dhali, reached the spot, she was heckled by the mob. However, the police were able to bring the situation under control.
“The woman returned home on Tuesday and we will ensure her safety,” said a senior official of the Kanksa police station.
