This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-33605244

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
India villagers behead woman for 'witchcraft' India arrest 16 for beheading woman for 'witchcraft'
(1 day later)
An elderly Indian woman accused of practising witchcraft has been stripped naked and beheaded by villagers in the state of Assam, police say. Police in India say they have held 16 people in connection with the killing of a woman accused of practising witchcraft.
They said that 63-year-old Purni Orang had been blamed for illness in the tribal settlement. Purni Orang, 63, was stripped naked and beheaded by villagers in Assam state, after she was blamed for illness in a tribal settlement in Sonitpur district.
Seven people, including two women, have been arrested over her killing. Among those arrested were nine women.
Police in Assam say nearly 90 people, mostly women, have been beheaded, burnt alive or stabbed to death after such accusations over the last six years.Police in Assam say nearly 90 people, mostly women, have been beheaded, burnt alive or stabbed to death after such accusations over the last six years.
Branding women as witches is particularly prevalent among tribal communities and tea plantation workers in the state.Branding women as witches is particularly prevalent among tribal communities and tea plantation workers in the state.
People in a village in Sonitpur district were falling sick, and some of them "blamed Purni Orang for their condition", local police official Samad Hussain told BBC Hindi. The police said the villagers in Sonitpur district had killed another woman after branding her a witch some seven years ago.
"After that they branded her a witch and killed her," Mr Hussain said. A group of villagers have protested at the local police station, demanding the release of those arrested.
"Purni was a witch and had cast evil spells on her enemies, there is no place for such sorcerers and so her killing is justified", Kiran Teronpi, a villager, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
In October, an Indian athlete Debjani Bora was severely beaten after being branded a witch in Assam.In October, an Indian athlete Debjani Bora was severely beaten after being branded a witch in Assam.
Experts say superstitious beliefs are behind some of these attacks, but there are occasions when people - especially widows - are targeted for their land and property.Experts say superstitious beliefs are behind some of these attacks, but there are occasions when people - especially widows - are targeted for their land and property.