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For killing and burning Assam couple accused of ‘witchcraft’, 20 arrests as police draw hard line

The couple, Gardi and Mira Birowa, had been murdered and burned by a group of villagers in No. 1 Beloguri Munda Village in Karbi Anglong’s Howraghat area on December 30.

2 min readGuwahatiUpdated: Jan 4, 2026 05:40 PM IST

20 arrested for Assam couple’s killing, police chief says witch-hunting ‘won’t be tolerated’

On Saturday, Assam Police said that they have arrested 20 people, including four people, in connection with this crime.

The Assam Police have arrested 20 people in connection with the murder and burning of a couple, who villagers accused of “witchcraft” in Karbi Anglong this week.

The couple, Gardi and Mira Birowa, had been murdered and burned by a group of villagers in No. 1 Beloguri Munda Village in Karbi Anglong’s Howraghat area on December 30.

On Saturday, Assam Police said that they have arrested 20 people, including four people, in connection with this crime.

“In reference to the recent incident of gruesome murder involving witch-hunting at Howraghat, a total of 20 accused persons, including 4 women, have been arrested so far. The investigation is presently underway. All possible efforts are being made to ensure a thorough and quality investigation and the timely delivery of justice,” read a statement by Karbi Anglong police on Saturday.

Assam IGP Law & Order Akhilesh Singh visited the village Saturday and stated that the practice of witch-hunting “cannot be tolerated”.

“This kind of violence and persecution against people by calling them witches cannot be tolerated in any way in society. This case will be investigated scientifically. Just a few months back, we secured a conviction of lifetime imprisonment for a witch-hunting case in Sivasagar. We will ensure justice in this case too,” he said.

Assam has been battling “witch-hunting” for a long time now, and it is a specific cognizable and non-bailable offence under the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2018. Records show that from 2022 till 2024, a total number of 32 cases were registered under the Act.

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With the persistence of crimes under this Act, the Assam government had notified an ‘Assam State Policy to Combat Human Trafficking and End Witch-Hunting’ – a law that aims at targeted intervention focused on prevention, rescue, rehabilitation and prosecution — in May this year. It lays out a standard procedure for the rescue and rehabilitation of survivors of “witch-hunting” and contains policy directives to identify “vulnerable pockets” and targeted programmes in these for awareness and crime prevention.

Sukrita Baruah

Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More

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