Woman branded witch, killed in MP

ALIRAJPUR: A man killed a 40-year old married woman in a village in tribal Alirajpur district, suspecting her of being a ‘witch’ and putting spell on his daughter, which made her fall ill frequently.

The incident took place in Ambarberi village on Saturday, but it was only on Sunday that Chandpur police station incharge Janak Singh Rawat confirmed that the murder took place because the accused, Mathuria (43) suspected the victim Jhamkudibai of being a witch.

TI Rawat said that it was evening when Jhamkudibai and her son Dhokalia (12) were returning home after washing clothes in the Suvara river. Suddenly they were accosted by Mathuria who accused Jhamkudibai of being a witch and struck her on her head with the blunt side of a ‘Dharia’ – a sharp edged weapon which is used locally.

He even attacked Dhokalia when he resisted. Jhamkudibai fell down on the spot and Dhokalia ran to call his father Manglia (45), who reached the found his wife dead. Mathuria had escaped by then.

TI Rawat said that Mathuria has a daughter Tina who is mentally challenged and fell ill frequently, and Mathuria suspected that Jhamkudibai was casting spells.

Branding someone as a witch and then killing them is prevalent in tribal districts like Alirajpur, because tribals are superstitious and believe in witches and magic spells, police sources said.