A 65-year-old tribal woman, identified as Rumka Murmu, has allegedly been beaten to death on suspicion of being a witch in Nahit, under Harirampur police station in West Bengal’s South Dinajpur district. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident.
According to police, the woman’s body was recovered and sent for a post-mortem examination. Police initiated an investigation after receiving a complaint from the victim’s family and arrested a suspect identified as Jayram Kisku.
The incident reportedly took place on Friday night, October 23, during a procession for the immersion of idols. According to local accounts, the accused, Jayram Kisku, allegedly confronted Murmu while under the influence of alcohol and verbally abused her before attacking her with a stick. She was reportedly suspected of witch. Local sources said Kisku had allegedly linked his son’s prolonged illness to the elderly woman, whom he suspected of being a witch. The circumstances and alleged motive remain subject to police investigation.
After residents learned of the incident, they rushed to the scene and took the severely injured woman to Harirampur Rural Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Police recovered the body and sent it for a post-mortem examination. Acting on a complaint lodged by the victim’s family, police arrested Jayram Kisku and initiated an investigation.
Murmu’s son, Gudum Kisku, told the media that he was away when the incident occurred and learned about the assault from his sister. “They claimed my mother was a witch—I have never heard of any such thing in all my life,” he said, urging the police to ensure that those responsible receive strict punishment.
South Dinajpur Superintendent of Police Abhishek Gupta said, “An argument broke out that escalated into a physical assault on the elderly woman. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident. However, the written complaint does not state that the assault was motivated by accusations of witchcraft.” He confirmed that one person had been arrested in connection with the case.
