DIMAPUR, SEPT 21 (MExN): A woman who was allegedly ‘practicing witchcraft and black magic’ was yesterday evening apprehended by Medziphema youth and handed over to Police for ‘causing the deaths’ of three teenagers. The woman, identified as ‘Mrs Monu’, has been remanded to judicial custody.
Abdul Majid and Rafiq Uddin, a father and son duo, have also been arrested for asking the witch to inflict ‘stomach pains’ on the three youth. Abdul Majid has reportedly confessed to the deed. A fourth person identified as Abdul Munak has also been detained for questioning. Munak reportedly prepared a ‘medicine’ made from garlic and a ‘tree root’ to reverse the spell cast on the last victim, but was unsuccessful.
Mhasilie (15), Rokovisie (15) and Visakho (16) had gone hunting at the Chanyü riverside which serves as the boundary between Medziphema and Tsiepema villages. Returning empty handed, they had killed and consumed a chicken belonging to Abdul Majid, it was informed.
Infuriated, the owner of the chicken is said to have asked ‘Mrs Monu’ to cause stomach upsets on the three youth by casting a spell on them, to which the latter is said to have consented. Police said the boys suffered from stomach pains, fever and yellow jaundice thereafter. Mhasilie passed away on September 19 last while Rokovisie and Visakho expired a day after.
Families of the deceased denied Police the permission to take the bodies for autopsy purposes.
A first class magistrate practicing in Dimapur said the circumstances leading to the deaths of the three boys would have to be taken into consideration and that evidence would have to be collected for the law to take its course.
Meanwhile, a rally has been organized today by the Medziphema Women Organization against the murder where they will submit a memorandum demanding capital punishment for the culprits, and secondly to banish all the ‘Miyas’ within Chumukedima town.
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