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Guwahati: An athlete, who brought laurels to Assam in the past, fell victim early this week to witch hunting in Karbi Anglong district but survived the ordeal.
Debajani Bora (51), a javelin thrower, who had won a gold medal in the 2011 national masters in Haryana, was targeted by villagers allegedly at the instigation of the Naamgharia (head of a religious prayer hall).
Police said the Naamgharia had branded her as a witch and instigated people to torture her.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), the family of the athlete registered a complaint at Dokmoka police station in the district. Based on the complaint, we have arrested Naamgharia Radha Laskar and a probe is on,” said Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police M.J. Mahanta.
Police said the Naamgharia organised some prayers in the Naamghar (the prayer hall) in her village Monday.
“As the prayer was on, Laskar caught hold of Debajani and started beating her. He also instigated other villagers to hold her and beat her,” said police.
Bora, however, managed to escape from the spot.
“The Naamgharia told the villagers that she practises witch craft and that it is because of her that the villagers are suffering,” Mahanta said.
The practice of witch hunting is common among some communities in Assam. Several people, mostly women, are being tortured and even killed every year in Assam in the name of witch craft.