Agartala, Oct 31: In a shocking case of superstition-driven violence, Tripura Police on Thursday night arrested three prime accused in connection with the gruesome murder of a middle-aged woman at Abhicharan village under the Sidhai Police Station in West Tripura district.
The victim, identified as Nanda Rani Debbarma, was allegedly branded a witch and killed by villagers on October 26. According to police, the arrested individuals were the main conspirators who masterminded the brutal assault and subsequent killing of the woman.
A senior police official said the accused were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), West Tripura, on Friday with a plea for police remand. “Preliminary investigation suggests the arrested persons led the attack on the woman. We are probing the possible involvement of other villagers as well,” the official stated, declining to reveal the names of the accused to ensure an impartial probe.
Investigators said that the accused believed the victim had cast an evil spell on their families, allegedly following the advice of local sorcerers. “Family members of the accused had been ill for long, and after consulting sorcerers, they blamed the woman for witchcraft,” the police official added.
The victim was reportedly beaten mercilessly and later hanged to ensure her death. The crime went unreported initially, as the victim’s husband and son were allegedly threatened with social ostracism if they informed the authorities.
The case came to light when the victim’s younger sister, Takshati Debbarma, lodged a complaint at Sidhai Police Station. Following the complaint, police and forensic teams exhumed the body for autopsy and launched an intensive manhunt, leading to the arrests.
Police have deployed additional forces and TSR jawans in the area to prevent any further unrest or retaliation.
