3 nabbed for killing woman accusing of being “witch”

EOI, Siliguri, 8 Sep 2014: Phansidewa police today arrested three people in connection with the murder 50 year old Manju Lakra who was allegedly killed under the suspicion of being a “witch.”

As the investigation progressed, police today apprehended Manju’s brother-in-law along with Sibru Lakra and Chotu Lakra, residents of Satbil village under Phansidewa.

Sibru and Chotu are also said to be the relatives of Manju and they were staying together in the same house 18 months before.

According to police sources, Manju possessed a large piece of land at the area which some villagers and her relatives wanted to occupy. The villagers even asked her to donate the land to make a play ground for the children of the area but Manju denied. As a part of conspiracy the villagers ascribed Manju as a “witch” and persuaded some of her relatives to murder her.

Long back ago Manju was badly assaulted by her relatives and some villagers and was even asked her to leave the village, said local sources.