Tags:
Journalism of Courage
HYDERABAD, AUG 3: Five persons, including four women, were burnt alive by a mob at Timmapur village in Warangal district late last night on suspicion that they were practicing witchcraft. Two other women suffered critical injuries after they were severely beaten up.
According to the information received here, a mob, which included women, dragged the seven out of their houses and brought them to the village centre. There they were tied to trees and beaten up. In the melee, two women managed to escape while the remaining five were doused with kerosene and set ablaze. They died on the spot.
They were identified as Kanukuri Yellaiah (70) and his wife, K Rajamma (50), Chitteboina Yellamma (65), Velpula Narsamma (55) and Upakantha (55).
While one of the injured, identified as Posala Yashoda, was admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital at Warangal, the fate of another victim, P Renuka, was not known immediately. She was found neither in the village nor at any hospital. It is suspected that she might have fled from the area.
Senior police officers, including District Superintendent of Police V P Apte, visited the village. Some suspects have been taken into custody. A police picket has been posted as a precautionary measure.
