Meghalaya: 60-yr-old man murdered on suspicion of practicing witchcraft

From Our Correspondent, TNT News | Tura, May 21, 2018: 

In yet another case where a life was taken on suspicion of practicing black magic, a 60 year old man, who was suspected of practicing witchcraft, was found murdered, about a kilometer from his house this morning in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.

It was informed that the elderly man was kidnapped from his house located at the village of Sakaboldakgre under Dadenggre PS limits in West Garo Hills district two nights ago before he was found murdered this morning.

Prior to recovery of the dead body, an FIR was filed at the same PS by the Sordar, Ratjeng Marak and Jonoth R Marak of the same village at about 8 am yesterday (May 20).

The duo had given a verbal complaint that at about 10 pm on May 19, two people with their faces covered barged into the bedroom of the victim identified as Nangseng Ch Marak (60) and dragged him out of his bed. They also slapped the wife of the victim – Wenem Sangma (56) before taking him to an undisclosed location. The victim's 20 year old daughter, who was also present during the time of the incident, was however left alone.

"Immediately after information was received, police teams launched an extensive search for the victim. We recovered a khukri, 2 blood stained stones as well as a skull bone. There were also blood stains where the victim was dragged by his captors. The skull bone was recovered about a km from the house – near a river bank," said superintendent of police of WGH, Dr MGR Kumar.

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After drawing a blank yesterday, police and locals continued the search for the missing person before his body was recovered this morning.

According to sources, locals stated that the victim was suspected of practicing witchcraft, which may have led to personal enmity between the victim and his murderers and thus led to the incident.

"We are looking at all angles to the case of suspected murder and will know what happened after we receive the post mortem report. Prima facie, it seems like a case of murder," added Dr Kumar.

The SP also said that they had a few leads in the case and was hopeful of a quick breakthrough.

Cases of murder on suspicion of practicing witchcraft has been raising its ugly head in Garo Hills, despite attempts by local authorities to negate fears amongst villagers of the same being possible.

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