Woman branded witch by villagers, set abalze

DIBRUGARH: Suspecting that a woman was practising witchcraft, villagers set her ablaze at a remote village in Dibrugarh district on this Thursday.

Agitated villagers pounced on Champa Bora (55) this morning accusing her of  "casting evil spells" and thrashed her severely, police said, adding someone from the group then set her ablaze.

Bora was badly burnt before she could be rescued and was shifted to Assam Medical College and Hospital, where her condition is stated to be critical, they said.

The villagers blamed her for the hysterical behaviour of several women of Tinthangia Soraihabi village under Khowang police station.

Bora's family members later filed an FIR and eight persons were arrested, they added.