Mahadalit family assaulted, case lodged

Accusing a Mahadalit woman of practising witchcraft, some people mercilessly beat her up and her family members in Sarpanch tola of Baharkhal panchayat in Bihar's Katihar district.
The mob also forced the woman's husband to consume excreta before throwing them out of their house yesterday, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rakesh Kumar said today.
Accusing Urmila Devi of practising witchcraft which they believed led to the death of a buffalo calf of one Bajranjhi Rishi, his supporters raided the woman's house and allegedly assaulted her, her husband Shyamlal Rishi and daughter Ketaki Devi.
Police rushed to the spot and took the couple to Kodha sub-primary health centre for treatment, Kumar said.

On the statement of the injured couple, an FIR was lodged against a dozen persons one of whom has been arrested, the SDPO said, adding raids were being carried out to nab other accused.