National level athlete Debajani Bora branded as 'witch' in Assam, assaulted

A national level athlete was allegedly branded as a 'witch' and assaulted by a group of people of her own village Cherekuli in Karbi Anglong district, police said on Thursday. Superintendent of Police M J Mahanta said Debajani Bora, medal winner in javelin at several national meets, was was dragged to a 'namghar' (community prayer hall), tied to a post and beaten up by the group last evening.

The group was allegedly instigated by the 'namghar' head Radha Laskar saying that she was a witch and was responsible for various problems faced by some villagers, Mahanta said. Bora became unconscious following the assault and her family members took her from the 'namghar' to Dokomoka Primary Health Centre with severe injuries in her back and neck, the SP said. Her family members filed an FIR today and two persons, including Laskar, was arrested while search was on to nab the others, Mahanta said. Bora, a mother of three and wife of a farmer, was selected to represent the country at an international meet at Malaysia in 2011-12 but could not attend it due to financial constraints.