Witchcraft Suspicion: Family Of 8 Ousted From Home In Cachar’s Harinagar

Calling someone “witch” is a criminal offence in Assam under “The Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015” (implemented in 2018). 8 years after the act was enacted, a family of eight, including four women, was allegedly driven out of their home at Harinagar’s Khasia Punjee in Cachar over suspicion of witchcraft and forced to live in the nearby forest for nearly a month before filing an FIR at Joypur Police Station on Saturday (March 7).

According to the FIR lodged by Biju Khasia, the incident took place on February 10 when a group of around 10–15 people allegedly entered their house armed with sharp weapons and ordered the family to vacate their home. The group allegedly accused Biju’s wife, M Siang Khasia, of having the “soul of a witch” and blamed her for illnesses and misfortunes affecting people in the Punjee.

The FIR names Brief Khasia, Stefon Khasia and Aniao Khasia, along with their group of about 15 people, as the accused. They allegedly threatened to set the house on fire with the family inside if they refused to leave.

Fearing for their lives, Biju and his family fled their home and took shelter in the forest, where they reportedly survived on forest produce, plants and shrubs from February 10 to March 6. During this period, two of Biju’s sons, both Class 9 students at PM Shri Indrasingh Rajbangshi Public High School, were unable to appear for their annual examinations due to their living conditions.

The family has now taken shelter at Joypur Police Station after nearly a month in hiding.

Notably, such acts fall under the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015, which criminalises branding a person as a witch, harassment, social boycott, or violence on such suspicion. Under the Act, identifying or accusing someone of being a witch can attract 3 to 7 years imprisonment and a fine ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 lakh, while acts of violence or abetment leading to severe harm or death can invite much harsher punishment, including life imprisonment. The offences under the Act are cognisable and non-bailable.

Cachar Police are yet to arrest any of the accused as the investigation into the crime is ongoing.